Conversations with Harold Ramis usually tend to be humorous, given the veteran actor and director's long history with comedy in all its forms.

But when it comes to "Hamsa: From the Middle East to the Midwest," Ramis turns serious, stressing the importance of this second annual Mid-East cultural festival of music, dance, food and art. He'll host the events Saturday and Sunday in Lincoln Park (just south of the Farm-in-the-Zoo). For information, call (773) 929-0224.

Hamsa is a word derived from the root for the number five in Arabic -- similar to ''Hamesh,'' in Hebrew. It refers to the fingers on the hand and is considered a symbol of good luck.

GLARE caught up with Ramis in New York the other day to discuss Chicago's Hamsa festival:

Q. Obviously you believe that nonpolitical communication between Muslims and Jews is another way to break down these seemingly overwhelming obstacles to peace in the Middle East.

A. No question about it, the biggest issues are the hardest to address in a meaningful way since people often feel a sense of powerlessness when facing them. But culture is free, and when you make people aware of others' cultures, I think that can be just as effective as political leaders sitting down across a conference table.

Q. As an American Jew, what have you done personally to better understand Muslims?

A. After 9/11, I tried to read everything I could about Islam and the Middle East, and that certainly has helped. It also reminded me that during and after the Vietnam War I learned a lot about people from that region of the world, and it made me think it was a shame we didn't know more about their culture before we went to war, because maybe we could have avoided it.

Q. So often people use religion as a reason to kill their fellow man. Why is that?

A. Ironically, for a long, long time religion was not a reason for division in the Middle East. It's only in the past half-century or so -- more due to economic reasons and a desire for territorial control -- that religion has become such a lightning rod in that part of the world.

Q. What are your hopes for this weekend's festival?

A. That people can come to this open bazaar in the heart of the city and discover a love of music and dance and wonderful food and realize how much we all have in common.

Bill Zwecker