The 95th İzmir International Fair Opens Its Doors
Tugay: İzmir Will Have Much More to Say to the World in the Fair’s Second Century
The İzmir International Fair, which pioneered Türkiye’s exhibition industry, has opened its doors for the 95th time. Speaking at the opening ceremony, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay emphasized that the five-year period leading up to the Fair’s centennial is of great importance in preparing 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, the İzmir International Fair has been one of the city’s most important hubs for trade, culture, art and social life. In its 95th year, the Fair opened with a spectacular ceremony held at the Atatürk Open-Air Theatre. The İzmir International Fair, which will continue through September 13, is sponsored by Folkart as Main Sponsor and Migros as 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, Chairman of the True Path Party; Mesut Sancak, Chairman of the Board of Folkart, the Fair’s Main Sponsor; representatives of political parties; İzmir Metropolitan Municipality officials; presidents and representatives of chambers, associations and non-governmental organizations; district mayors; members of the business community; members of the press; and municipal council members.
The ceremony began with the screening of the İzmir International Fair promotional video. The İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Chamber Orchestra treated guests to an enjoyable musical performance, while the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Folk Dance Ensemble added colour to the evening with a performance that received enthusiastic applause.
Tugay: I also became part of the Fair by working here during my student years
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay began his opening speech by emphasizing that every generation that has passed through the gates of the Fair over the past 95 years has experienced a different İzmir.
“One generation discovered different countries of the world through the pavilions, while another saw an escalator for the first time here. Others remember the Fair for its concerts and summer evenings spent with friends. As a child of this city, I too became part of the Fair by working here during my student years, and I have many wonderful memories. Today’s children, meanwhile, are discovering an entirely different face of the Fair,” Mayor Tugay said.
“The İzmir International Fair fostered the growth of an entirely new field: the exhibition industry”
Continuing his remarks by reflecting on the history of the İzmir International Fair, Tugay said:
“From the very beginning, exhibitions in our city have gone hand in hand with production and trade. Producers and buyers met here; new ideas, new products and new markets came together here. While our country followed developments around the world through İzmir, İzmir opened itself to the world through its fairs. As a general trade fair, the İzmir International Fair fostered the growth of an entirely new field: the exhibition industry.
“Today, the specialized trade fairs that form one of the pillars of both our national and local economies, and through which we establish commercial and cultural ties with the world, have their roots in the İzmir International Fair. When we look at the contribution of fairs to our city’s economy today, we can clearly see the value the İzmir International Fair has created not only for İzmir but for Türkiye as a whole.
“In the first six months of 2026, more than 2,500 international exhibiting companies came together in İzmir at 12 specialized trade fairs held in our city. We welcomed more than 900,000 visitors from all 81 provinces of Türkiye and over 100 countries.”
“We are ready to make every contribution within our capacity”
Emphasizing that the impact of the İzmir International Fair extends throughout the city, Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay said:
“From hotels and restaurants to transportation and local tradespeople, the impact of fairs spreads across the entire city. These figures demonstrate not only İzmir’s strength in the exhibition industry, but also the enormous potential ahead of us.
“We can bring İzmir’s production capacity, ports, logistics infrastructure, international connections and deep-rooted exhibition experience into even stronger alignment with our country’s trade objectives. When the central government, local authorities, the business community and sector representatives unite around the same goal, we can take İzmir’s potential much further.
“We can bring new international events to İzmir and make our city one of the world’s stronger meeting points for global trade. As İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, we are ready to assume our responsibility within this shared vision and make every contribution within our capacity. We believe that every new collaboration will create value not only for İzmir but also for 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 art and find peace. The memory of a city is preserved in the memories of its people. Kültürpark and the Fair hold some of the most precious memories of the people of İzmir.
“Just like that unique İzmir evening evoked in the verses of our great poet and fellow İzmirian Attilâ İlhan, it lives on in a father telling his child, ‘I used to come here when I was your age’; in a song heard many years ago; in an old photograph of the Fair; in a promise to meet friends; and in that familiar excitement felt when walking through the gates of Kültürpark.
“The İzmir International Fair is the shared memory and collective 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 100th anniversary of the İzmir International Fair. Preparing this great gathering, which has been part of our lives for almost a century, for its second century is the responsibility of our generation — of all of us. We will approach the next five years with this perspective.
“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, art, the creativity of our young people, the free spirit of this city and its 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 be in the heart of İzmir and its people”
Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay concluded his remarks by saying:
“I respectfully and gratefully commemorate Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic, first and foremost; Dr. Behçet Uz, who made an invaluable contribution to the establishment of Kültürpark; all our colleagues who have worked to prepare the Fair; our İZFAŞ family; our exhibitors; our artists; and everyone who has contributed to this great 95-year story.
“I would also like to thank all my fellow citizens who have passed through the gates of this Fair from generation to generation, cherished its memories and made their children part of this culture, as well as all the institutions that have contributed to its success.
“As our slogan expresses, the İzmir International Fair has always been at the heart of İzmir. It is in the heart of the city, and it will continue to hold a special place in the hearts of the people of İzmir.”
Sönmez: A meeting point for trade, culture, art and the public, with hundreds of exhibitors
Tarık Sönmez, Director General for International Trade in Services at the Ministry of Trade, said:
“Reaching out to the world from İzmir, the shining star of the Aegean, this Fair is an important reflection of Türkiye’s determination to open new horizons in trade and strengthen its position in global markets.
“The İzmir International Fair is a long-established organization closely associated with the economic development goals of our Republic. Since its foundation, it has played an important role in introducing our country’s industry, trade, production capacity and entrepreneurial potential to the world.
“Under the slogan ‘The Fair at the Heart of the City,’ the Fair will serve as a meeting point where trade meets culture, art meets technology, and entertainment meets innovation. The İzmir International Fair is not merely a venue where new products are showcased; with its hundreds of exhibitors and visitors reaching into the millions over its long history, it is also a meeting place for trade, culture, art and the public. In this respect, it is not only a commercial event but also a cultural and social celebration.”
İEF to welcome visitors between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
The İzmir International Fair (İEF) will bring companies from a wide range of sectors together with visitors. Throughout the Fair, cultural, artistic, entertainment and experience-oriented activities will take place throughout the day at various locations across Kültürpark.
Having welcomed 776,843 visitors last year, the Fair will once again be one of İzmir’s most important gatherings this year, with a programme bringing together trade, culture, art and entertainment.
With Folkart as Main Sponsor and Migros as Event Sponsor, the İzmir International Fair will welcome visitors daily from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Admission fees have been set at TRY 100 for full-price admission and TRY 50 for students.
