September 9 Celebrations at IEF
The excitement of the 104th anniversary of İzmir’s liberation was also felt at the İzmir International Fair. Model, reuniting after many years, met thousands of İzmir residents on the Fair Lawn Concerts stage, while the Çok Güzel Hareketler 2 team took the stage at the Atatürk Open-Air Theatre with a special performance for September 9.
Hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and organized by İZFAŞ, the 95th İzmir International Fair hosted a series of special events on September 9, the anniversary of İzmir’s liberation. The celebrations that filled the city throughout the day continued into the evening with events at Kültürpark. Model took the stage as part of the Fair Lawn Concerts, one of the traditional highlights of the fair, and reunited with its İzmir fans.
“We Are Proud”
Model’s lead singer Fatma Turgut emphasized the special significance of performing in İzmir on the anniversary of the city’s liberation. She said, “As you know, Model is a band from İzmir. We feel incredibly proud and happy to be here with you on such an important and wonderful day as September 9, the Liberation of İzmir. We are truly very excited.”
Having recently begun performing together again, Model sang its popular songs with thousands of music lovers filling the venue. During some of the band’s most memorable songs, including “Pembe Mezarlık,” “Değmesin Ellerimiz,” “Dağılmak İstiyorum,” and “Antidepresan Gülümsemesi,” the Fair Lawn Concerts venue turned into one giant choir. Met with great enthusiasm from İzmir music lovers throughout the concert, Model concluded its unforgettable performance to resounding applause.
Laughter Joins the September 9 Celebrations
As part of the İzmir International Fair, the Çok Güzel Hareketler 2 team also met İzmir audiences at the Kültürpark Atatürk Open-Air Theatre. With sketches and stage performances specially prepared for the anniversary of İzmir’s liberation, the team gave the audience an entertaining evening and received enthusiastic applause from the packed theatre.
Performing sketches ranging from current events to scenes from everyday life, the Çok Güzel Hareketler 2 cast also made the audience part of the show through improvisational segments.
İzmir residents who filled the Atatürk Open-Air Theatre to watch the performance expressed their happiness at celebrating September 9 with laughter and entertainment. Fair visitors also voiced their appreciation that the events were free of charge and thanked İzmir Metropolitan Municipality.
İzmir Residents Delighted
Twelve-year-old Alya Şen, who said she had previously watched the show on television and online, said, “Watching it live now makes me very happy and excited. I would like to thank İzmir Metropolitan Municipality very much for bringing such an event to us.”
Zeynep Özdemir said, “We would like to thank İzmir Metropolitan Municipality for providing such a wonderful service. We hope events like these will continue.”
Rabia Özdamarın, who came to the İzmir Atatürk Open-Air Theatre to watch Çok Güzel Hareketler, said, “It is wonderful that such a great event is being organized free of charge as part of the fair.”
Elif Ecrin Subaşı said, “It is a wonderful event. I am very happy to be here. My heart is really pounding; I’m so excited. I love Çok Güzel Hareketler. Being able to watch the show free of charge is also very important. I would like to thank İzmir Metropolitan Municipality very much.”
Cansu Eroğlu said, “We came to see the fairgrounds. Every part of the fair is very enjoyable. I came to watch Çok Güzel Hareketler and attend the Model concert. The fact that all these events are free is a great opportunity for me and for other students like me. I would like to thank everyone who contributed.”
Buse Onagay said, “We are very pleased with the events organized by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality as part of the fair. As a family, we regularly follow and attend theatre performances. We hope these wonderful events continue. We are very happy to be here.”
Züleyha Yılmaz said, “I follow all the theatre events organized by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality. I am also involved in theatre myself. I would like to thank the municipal authorities very much for providing us with such a wonderful opportunity.”
The Excitement Continues at the Fair
Concerts and stage performances at the İzmir International Fair will continue in the coming days. Gülşen will perform at the Fair Lawn Concerts on September 10, followed by Teoman on September 11 and Semicenk on September 12.
At the Kültürpark Atatürk Open-Air Theatre, “Abur Cubur Show,” presented by Doğan Akdoğan and Rüştü Onur Atilla, will meet audiences on September 10. Atakan Çelik and Safa Sarı will take the stage with “Sonkiüçdört” on September 11, followed by “İki Kişilik Oyun,” starring Binnur Kaya and Mert Fırat, on September 12.
With Folkart as the main sponsor and Migros as the event sponsor, the 95th İzmir International Fair will continue to welcome visitors at Kültürpark every day from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. through September 13.