2026 Edition ı May 24 — June 6, 2026
2027 Edition ı May 23 — June 5, 2027
Thessaloniki Art & Music Summit
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(THAMS) is a new international center for artistic creation, cultural exchange, and contemporary music inspired by Greece.
Organized by Global Arts United (GAU), in partnership with ABLAZE Records, THAMS brings together composers, visual artists, ensembles, and the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra (TSSO) for two weeks of performances, workshops, collaborations, and cultural immersion in one of Europe’s most historic and vibrant cities.
Each edition celebrates a Greek-oriented theme, drawn from mythology, history, philosophy, or tradition, ensuring that new artistic creation remains rooted in the country’s millennia-old cultural legacy.
2026 Edition Highlights​
Theme: ORFEO
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The inaugural 2026 edition explores Orfeo, reimagining the ancient myth through new compositions, performances, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
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Full-Orchestra Performances with the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra (TSSO)
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In 2026, selected participant composers will have their works performed by the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra (TSSO)—one of Greece’s most distinguished orchestras. Additional chamber music concerts will be given by resident and guest ensembles.
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Information for Composers
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Please click here for learning more
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Educational & Cultural Activities
Participants engage in:
ı Lessons with faculty composers
ı Seminars and masterclasses
ı Rehearsals with chamber ensembles and TSSO musicians
ı Cultural experiences highlighting Thessaloniki’s artistic and historical richness
2027 Edition Highlights​
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In 2027, participant composers will have two possible venues:
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-- Collaborate with chamber ensembles—ensembles will be confirmed soon
-- Have a piece recorded by TSSO, as part of the Hellenic Music Series (more details below)
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The TSSO’s focus this year will be recording, launching a new international project:
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Hellenic Music Series
Featuring the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra
Produced in partnership with ABLAZE Records
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— Beginning in 2027, THAMS and TSSO will release a new alternating-year orchestral recording series:
ı 2027: First recording volume
ı 2029: Second volume
ı 2031: Third volume, etc.
— Each album will feature:
ı A major new work by a participant composer
ı Additional works selected for the project
ı A featured composition by the winner of the International Dimitri Mitropoulos Composition Competition
ABLAZE Records — known for 90+ releases and 20+ international awards — will distribute the series worldwide, expanding the orchestra’s global profile and establishing Thessaloniki as a premier center for contemporary orchestral recording.​​​
Chamber Music Performances + Launch of the Hellenic Music Series​​​
​Long-Term Festival Structure
THAMS follows a clear and exciting pattern designed for artistic continuity:
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ı 2026 — TSSO performs participant works (live concerts)
ı 2027 — TSSO records album #1 (Hellenic Music Series) + Chamber Music
ı 2028 — TSSO performs participant works (live concerts)
ı 2029 — TSSO records album #2 + Chamber Music
…and so forth.
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This structure allows composers to engage with the orchestra in both performance and recording contexts, building an unparalleled long-term professional profile.
Mission Statement
The Thessaloniki Art and Music Summit (THAMS), organized by Global Arts United (GAU), brings together international musicians, artists, ensembles, and the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra to create and perform new works inspired by Greece. Each edition highlights a Greek-oriented theme—drawn from the country’s history, mythology, philosophy, or traditions—ensuring that contemporary artistic creation remains in dialogue with Greece’s enduring cultural heritage. Through concerts, workshops, and educational initiatives, the festival strengthens Thessaloniki’s role as a cultural crossroads while promoting Greek culture abroad in a living, evolving form.
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Rooted in Thessaloniki’s unique identity—a city celebrated in the New Testament, a Byzantine capital and UNESCO World Heritage site, and often referred to as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans”—THAMS showcases the city’s history as a meeting point of civilizations. By combining this deep heritage with the energy of today’s vibrant, youthful Thessaloniki, the festival positions the city as an international hub of creativity, tourism, and cultural exchange, carrying the voice of Greece onto the world stage.
The inaugural 2026 edition of THAMS will explore the theme of Orfeo, presenting concerts designed both for the people of Thessaloniki and for international visitors, reinforcing the city’s role as a cultural destination.
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A landmark feature of the 2027 edition will be the launch of a new series of recordings produced in partnership with ABLAZE Records. With a proven track record of more than 90 critically acclaimed releases and over 20 international recording awards, ABLAZE Records has become a respected global voice for expertly performed and recorded orchestral music. This new series will provide a dedicated platform to showcase the artistic excellence and cultural richness of Thessaloniki’s orchestral tradition, with each volume featuring the Summit’s Composer Competition winner as its keystone work.
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Through expert production, worldwide distribution, and international visibility, ABLAZE Records will extend and deepen the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra’s already established international profile and reputation for quality recordings. This collaboration will celebrate Thessaloniki’s role as a cultural crossroads and position the orchestra as a beacon of contemporary creativity and a superb artistic force on the world stage.
Program Structure
Typical Edition
For Composers (click here to learn more)
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ı Work with the TSSO (performance or recording, depending on year)
ı Chamber music rehearsals and concerts
ı Lessons with faculty composers
ı Seminars on orchestration, aesthetics, recording, and industry topics
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For Visual Artists (more information soon)
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ı Exhibitions connected to the annual Greek theme
ı Interdisciplinary collaborations with composers
ı Opportunities to present new work to local and international audiences
Location: Thessaloniki, Greece
​A city where antiquity and modernity coexist beautifully:
ı Byzantine walls and UNESCO monuments
ı A vibrant contemporary arts scene
ı Seaside boulevards, markets, nightlife, and youthful energy
ı A welcoming home for international artists
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THAMS invites participants to experience Thessaloniki not only as visitors but as creative collaborators in its evolving cultural identity.
Ensembles & Partners