Repertoire

In the islands of the northeastern Aegean, music has been influenced by the tradition of Asia Minor. Since the 18th century, Lesvos in particular, maintained close connections with Smyrna and Constantinople (modern day Istanbul), exporting olive oil and soap to these regions. So, Eastern sounds are a constant presence in the northeastern Aegean islands. Music groups often perform amanes (oriental improvised song) and «sarkia» (melodies with Eastern origins), while locals enjoy dancing aptalika and the slow zeibekiko,similar to the dances in Ayvalik. However, the repertoire also includes syrtos, ballos, karsilamas, fast hasaposerviko and "European" pieces, as a set of excerpts from operas and mainly operettas, waltzes, tangos, foxtrots, etc.