İzmir International Fair, which launched Türkiye’s journey in the fair industry, has opened its doors for the 95th time. Speaking at the opening ceremony, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay emphasized the importance of the five-year period leading up to the fair’s centenary in preparing it for its second century. Tugay said “In its first century, the world came to İzmir; in its second century, İzmir will have much more to say to the world”.
For nearly a century, İzmir International Fair has been one of the leading venues for trade, culture, arts and social life. In its 95th year, the fair opened with a spectacular ceremony at Atatürk Open-Air Theatre. Folkart is the main sponsor of the fair, which will continue until 13 September, while Migros is the event sponsor. Hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay, the opening ceremony was attended by Tarık Sönmez, Director General for International Trade in Services at the Ministry of Trade; Cenk Küpeli, Chair of the True Path Party; Mesut Sancak, Chair of the Board of Folkart, the fair’s main sponsor; representatives of political parties; senior officials from İzmir Metropolitan Municipality; chairs and representatives of chambers, associations and civil society organizations; district mayors; members of the business community; members of the press; and municipal council members. The ceremony began with the screening of a promotional video for İzmir International Fair. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Chamber Orchestra presented an enjoyable musical performance, while İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Folk Dance Ensemble added color to the evening with a performance that received great applause.

Tugay: As a student, I also became part of the fair by working here
Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Dr. Cemil Tugay began his address by noting that every generation to pass through the gates of the fair over the past 95 years had encountered a different İzmir. Tugay said “One generation discovered different countries of the world in the pavilions, while another saw an escalator for the first time here. Others remember the fair through its concerts and the summer evenings they spent here with friends. As one of the children of this city, I also became part of the fair by working here during my student years, and I have many wonderful memories. Today’s children, however, are discovering an entirely different side of the fair”.

“İzmir International Fair fostered the growth of an entirely new industry”
Continuing with an account of the history of İzmir International Fair, Tugay said: “From the very beginning, the fair industry in our city has developed alongside production and trade. Producers and buyers met here, while new ideas, new products and new markets came together. As our country followed developments around the world from İzmir, İzmir opened itself up to the world through its fairs. As a general trade fair, İzmir International Fair fostered the growth of an entirely new industry. The specialized fairs that now form one of the main pillars of our national and local economies and enable us to establish commercial and cultural ties with the world were born from İzmir International Fair. “When we look at the contribution of fairs to our city’s economy today, we can see the value İzmir International Fair has created not only for İzmir but also for Türkiye. During the first six months of 2026, more than 2,500 international exhibitors came together at 12 specialized fairs held in our city. We welcomed more than 900,000 visitors from all 81 provinces of Türkiye and over 100 countries.”

“We stand ready to make every contribution required of us”
Stating that İzmir International Fair has an impact across the entire city, Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay continued: “From hotels and restaurants to transport services and small businesses, the impact of fairs extends throughout the city. These figures demonstrate not only İzmir’s strength in the exhibition industry but also the immense potential before us. We can align İzmir’s production capacity, ports, logistics infrastructure, international connections and long-standing experience in the exhibition industry more closely with our country’s trade objectives. “When the central government, local authorities, the business community and sector representatives unite around a common goal, we can take İzmir’s potential much further. We can bring new international events to İzmir and make our city an even more prominent meeting point for global trade. As İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, we stand ready to assume our share of responsibility in this collective endeavor and make every contribution required of us. We believe that every new partnership will add value not only to İzmir but also to our country’s production, exports and economy.”

“We will draw strength from our past and build our future together”
Describing Kültürpark and the fair as the story of İzmir rising from its ashes, Mayor Tugay continued: “For 90 years, trees have been growing in Kültürpark, children have been running along these paths, and people have been coming here to enjoy themselves, engage with the arts and find peace. The memory of a city is preserved in the memories of its people. Kültürpark and the fair are among the most treasured memories of the people of İzmir. “As in that unique İzmir evening evoked in the verses of our great poet and fellow citizen Attilâ İlhan: ‘…an unnamed fountain, forgotten in the warmth of a bright afternoon; whether from İzmir or not, one waits for one’s beloved; the lights of the fair have long since come on…’ “It is preserved in a father telling his child, ‘I used to come here when I was your age’; in a song heard years ago; in an old photograph from the fair; in a promise to meet friends; and in that familiar excitement felt when entering through the gates of Kültürpark. İzmir International Fair is the shared memory and common heritage of all the people of İzmir. “But our fair is also written into our future. What makes it a tradition, and what makes it a gift to culture—just like the name of the place where it is held—is its journey from the past into the future. There are five years left until the centenary of İzmir International Fair. Preparing this great gathering, which has endured for almost a century, for its second century is the responsibility of our entire generation. We will approach the next five years with this understanding. “In the fair’s first century, the world came to İzmir; in its second century, İzmir will have much more to say to the world. We will connect our production, trade, culture and arts, the creativity of our young people, and this city’s free spirit and culture of solidarity with the world more strongly than ever. We will draw strength from our past and build our future together.”

“The fair will always remain in the hearts of İzmir and its people”
Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay concluded his remarks by saying: “I commemorate with respect and gratitude Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic; Dr. Behçet Uz, whose efforts were instrumental in the establishment of Kültürpark; all our colleagues who contributed to the preparation of the fair;  İZFAŞ family; our exhibitors; our artists; and everyone who has contributed to this remarkable 95-year story. “I would also like to thank all my fellow citizens who have passed through the gates of this fair from one generation to the next, preserved its memories and made their children part of this culture, as well as all the institutions that have contributed to it. As expressed in our slogan, İzmir International Fair has always been the heart of İzmir: it is in the heart of the city, and it will continue to hold a place in the hearts of the people of İzmir.”

Sönmez: A meeting place for trade, culture, the arts and the public, with hundreds of exhibitors
Tarık Sönmez, Director General for International Trade in Services at the Ministry of Trade, said: “Extending from İzmir, the shining star of the Aegean, to the wider world, this fair is a powerful reflection of Türkiye’s determination to explore new horizons in trade and secure a stronger position in global markets. İzmir International Fair is a long-established event closely associated with our Republic’s economic development goals. Since its foundation, it has played an important role in promoting our country’s industry, trade, production capacity and entrepreneurial potential to the world. “Held under the slogan ‘The Fair at the Heart of the City,’ it will serve as a meeting point where trade meets culture, art meets technology, and entertainment meets innovation. İzmir International Fair is not merely a venue where new products are presented. With millions of visitors and hundreds of exhibitors, it is also a place where trade, culture, arts and public come together. In this respect, it is not only a commercial event but also a cultural and social celebration.”

İzmir International Fair will welcome visitors from 16.00 to 23.00
İzmir International Fair will bring together companies from a wide range of sectors and visitors. Throughout the fair, cultural, artistic, entertainment and experience-oriented activities will be held at various locations across Kültürpark. Having welcomed 776,843 visitors last year, the fair will once again be one of İzmir’s most important gathering points, with a programme bringing together trade, culture, arts and entertainment. With Folkart as its main sponsor and Migros as its event sponsor, İzmir International Fair will be open to visitors every day from 16.00 to 23.00. Admission fees have been set at 100 Turkish Liras for full-price tickets and 50 Turkish Liras for students.
 

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