The concert aims to celebrate cultural diversity through its music, focusing on the composers who relocated to mainland Greece and their profound effect on the musical landscape. The music from Smyrne was significantly affected by the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in the 1920s, leading to a dispersion of diverse musical traditions and their preservation and evolution in different regions.

Smyrne, now known as Izmir in Turkey, holds a significant place in the history of Greek and Turkish musical traditions. It was a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, influencing its music with a blend of Greek, Turkish, Jewish and Armenian elements. Characterized by a distinctive sound, Smyrneika incorporates various instruments such as the oud, bouzouki, violin, kanun and guitar. It often features emotional and melancholic melodies, reflecting the experiences and sentiments of the diverse population living in Smyrne.