The aim has constantly been to create an interest and understanding for the values that are inherent in the cultural expressions of others.
Each year, artists from almost every corner of the world are present, and many well-known musicians have visited Oslo for the very first time as a result of the festival.
In recent years, the festival has focused on presenting music from great cities all over the world, with the ambition of reaching a broad, music-loving, curious public.
[2] During the 2012 festival, more than 300 artists from all around the world performed on 14 different venues in Oslo in a variety of genres including Chaabi, African jazz, samba, French chanson, electronica and hip hop.
With the 2013 festival, the 20th anniversary was celebrated, presenting artists from all over the world performing music like flamenco, Nigerian soul, fado, electronica, hip hop and dessert blues, on 18 different venues all over Oslo.