İzmir International Fair Became the Heart of İzmir Once Again in Its 95th Year

Held at Kültürpark from September 5 to 13 under the slogan “The Fair Is in the Heart of the City,” the 95th İzmir International Fair was organised by İZFAŞ and hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, bringing together trade, culture, art, entertainment and unique experiences. A total of 560,295 people visited the fair over nine days.

Throughout the nine-day event, the İzmir International Fair brought together visitors of all ages with activities spread across Kültürpark. For the first time this year, visitors aged 65 and over were admitted free of charge, as were children under the age of seven, while young people holding a Genç İzmirim Card benefited from discounted admission. A total of 560,295 people visited the fair over nine days. With an extensive programme ranging from the Fair Lawn Concerts and performances at the Atatürk Open-Air Theatre to exhibitions, children’s and youth areas, international street performances and interactive experiences, the fair offered concerts, theatre performances, shows, activities for children and young people, opera and dance performances, as well as all other events free of charge.

Stars Took the Stage at the Fair Lawn Concerts

The traditional Fair Lawn Concerts brought music lovers together throughout the fair. Emir Can İğrek and Levent Yüksel performed with the sponsorship of Migros, while Yıldız Tilbe, Mert Demir, Model, Gülşen, Teoman and Semicenk also took the stage to perform their songs for fair visitors. The celebrations marking September 9, the anniversary of İzmir’s liberation, were also held at the İzmir International Fair with Model’s concert. The concerts attracted great interest from visitors, with tens of thousands singing along to the artists’ songs.

Theatre and Performances at the Atatürk Open-Air Theatre

The Kültürpark Atatürk Open-Air Theatre hosted theatre, stand-up, musical and interactive performances throughout the fair. The programme began with Salih Bademci’s “Sesler,” followed by Nezaket Erden with “Sevgili Arsız Ölüm – Dirmit” and a stand-up performance by Doğu Demirkol. “Çok Güzel Hareketler 2,” “Abur Cubur Show,” Atakan Çelik and Safa Sarı’s “Sonkiüçdört,” and “İki Kişilik Oyun,” starring Binnur Kaya and Mert Fırat, also received great interest from fair visitors. İzmir residents filled the Atatürk Open-Air Theatre to capacity every evening.

Music and Dance Spread Across Kültürpark

In addition to the stage programme, flash mob performances, opera and dance events took place at various locations throughout Kültürpark. Flash mob performances by dancers and opera singers who mingled with visitors added colour and energy to the fairgrounds. During the “You Are the Conductor” event, visitors had the opportunity to step in front of a mini orchestra and conduct pieces of their choice.

Art and Urban Memory Came Together in Four Exhibitions

Among the cultural and artistic highlights of the fair was “ROMANTİKA / Bir Ömrün Seyrüseferi,” an exhibition exploring the life and art of Nâzım Hikmet. Held at the Atlas Pavilion, the exhibition featured Nâzım Hikmet’s handwritten works, personal belongings, photographs and literary works. The “Kültürpark at 90” exhibition explored the history of Kültürpark, while “Stops of Art – Hüseyin Terzioğlu Collection” presented different periods of contemporary Turkish painting. The İzmir Culinary Museum’s “Towards the Opening” exhibition introduced visitors to the city’s rich gastronomic heritage.

Young People and Children Came Together at the Fair

Technology, sports and entertainment came together at the Youth Area created for young visitors. Alongside Digital Tic-Tac-Toe, Smoothie Bike and interactive games, various sports and skill-based activities offered young people a range of different experiences. At the Children’s Area, popular characters including the Smurfs, Masha and the Bear, Gupi and Kucho met with children through mascot games, dance and music performances, workshops and themed activities. Games, sports, arts and interactive activities were also organised in the Hot Wheels, Dinoverse, Barbie, Angry Birds, Robocar Poli and Jurassic Age areas.

International Street Performance Added Colour to the Fair

The “Les Légendaires” troupe from France was among the fair’s international attractions. Featuring giant illuminated puppets, dancers and acrobats, the performance brought the approximately 4.5-metre-tall “White Fox” character face to face with visitors along the streets of Kültürpark. Held over three days, the performances became one of the fair’s most striking outdoor attractions.

New Areas Added to the Fair This Year

Held with Folkart as the main sponsor and Migros as the event sponsor, the İzmir International Fair combined its 95-year tradition with new areas and experiences. Making its debut at the fair, the İZELTAŞ Usta İşi Arena offered visitors hands-on experiences through games, competitions and activities, while the Red Bull Cardboard Boat Event Area hosted workshops, team-building activities and DJ performances. The Red Bull Cardboard Boat Race was held at Kültürpark Lake on September 13. The automotive and boat areas also strengthened the fair’s commercial and experience-oriented offering.

A More Spacious and Hygienic Environment at the Food Area

New arrangements introduced at the Food Area this year provided visitors with a more spacious and hygienic environment. Cooking methods that generate excessive smoke were not permitted in order to reduce smoke and odours, while hygiene and food safety inspections continued throughout the fair. Offering a variety of cuisines, the area provided visitors with options for dining, refreshments and relaxation.

Municipal Services Presented Through Experiences at Belediye Sokağı

Belediye Sokağı, where İzmir Metropolitan Municipality showcased its services through a variety of experiences, was one of the fair’s popular areas. Quizzes, interactive activities, workshops and awareness programmes were organised for different age groups. İZMAR also brought its reliable, high-quality and affordable products to consumers at the fair, with İZMAR-branded tahini and molasses products offered for sale for the first time.