Tugay: İzmir’s Connection with Fairs Will Always Remain Strong
The İzmir International Fair (IEF), which marked the beginning of Türkiye’s exhibition industry journey, is preparing to open its doors for the 95th time. Hosted by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and organized by İZFAŞ, the 95th İzmir International Fair will take place at Kültürpark from September 5–13, 2026, under the slogan “The Fair in the Heart of the City.” Speaking at the press conference, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay said, “I can say that everyone who enters the fair will have an enjoyable time, see many interesting things, and leave happy. İzmir’s connection with fairs will continue to remain strong.”
For nearly a century, the İzmir International Fair has been one of the key meeting points for trade, culture, art, and social life. This year, the Fair will open on September 5 and continue through September 13. The press conference for the 95th İzmir International Fair, with Folkart as the main sponsor and Migros as the event sponsor, was held at the Historical Coal Gas Factory, hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay. The meeting was also attended by Folkart Chairman of the Board Mesut Sancak, Migros Northern Aegean Director Güneş Fırıldak, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Dr. Zafer Levent Yıldır, İZFAŞ General Manager Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu, senior officials from the Metropolitan Municipality, general managers of affiliated companies, and representatives of the business community.
Tugay thanked his colleagues
Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay began his speech by thanking his colleagues and the supporters of the İzmir International Fair for their contributions to organizing the event despite the current circumstances in Türkiye and around the world. Emphasizing their awareness of the importance of the exhibition industry, Tugay recalled that İzmir has undertaken an important mission in this field in line with Atatürk’s vision and noted that the city hosts numerous international fairs throughout the year. Tugay said, “We work with full awareness of the importance of the mission entrusted to İzmir in the field of fairs and exhibitions.”
“We have carried on this tradition for 95 years”
Stating that the İzmir International Fair also holds an important place in his own life, Tugay said: “I don’t know if there is another fair in the world that is 95 years old. There is probably no other city or country that embraces a fair as strongly as we do. We have carried on this tradition for 95 years. We experience the Fair not only through its present but also through its history. However, in a world where everything is changing, it is inevitable that the İzmir International Fair will change as well. From the organization process to the events held within the Fair, our colleagues have made a tremendous effort to create an event that İzmir residents will enjoy and find engaging. I can say that everyone who enters the Fair will have an enjoyable time, see many interesting things, and leave happy.”
“We will continue working to meet the expectations placed upon us”
Providing information about the events to be held as part of the Fair, Tugay spoke about “ROMANTİKA / The Voyage of a Lifetime,” an exhibition exploring the life and cultural legacy of poet Nâzım Hikmet. “Everyone will understand just how special this exhibition is after visiting it,” Tugay said, thanking Folkart for producing the exhibition. He added, “The İzmir Fair has always been associated with art and culture. That is one of its greatest strengths.”
Noting that dozens of events will be organized and hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected, Tugay reiterated their goal of creating a Kültürpark where İzmir residents can enjoy themselves 365 days a year. “This year, we will see a somewhat more contemporary interpretation of the Fair. In the coming years, we will continue working to meet the requirements of our time and the expectations of participants and visitors. İzmir’s connection with fairs will always remain strong. I wish all our citizens an enjoyable Fair,” he said.
“The world is changing”
Mayor Tugay also answered questions from members of the press. Responding to a question about the İzmir International Fair lasting nine days, Tugay said, “Regarding the duration, we see that extending the length of a fair reduces participation. Today, fairs around the world generally last two, three, or four days. Specialized trade fairs are now the norm.”
Addressing nostalgia for the fairs of the past, Tugay emphasized that the world is changing and that it is necessary to adapt. “The world is changing, expectations are changing, and people are changing. There is a new generation with different expectations. We will remember this year’s Fair fondly,” he said.
Describing Kültürpark as one of İzmir’s greatest assets, Tugay added, “With its green landscape and the sense of peace people need, we regard Kültürpark as a place more valuable than any jewel in the heart of the city.”
Sancak: “It will continue to be one of the most important symbols of the city’s bold identity”
Folkart Chairman of the Board Mesut Sancak said that contributing to the cultural and social life of the city was not merely a choice but a fundamental responsibility. He noted that the Refik Anadol exhibition presented to art lovers last year attracted 295,000 visitors.
Stating that this year they are bringing Nâzım Hikmet together with visitors at the Atlas Pavilion, Sancak said: “The opening of this exhibition at the İzmir International Fair is not a coincidence; it is almost a meeting destined to happen. A poet open to the world, a city open to the world, and a fair open to the world. With this exhibition, we hope not only to contribute to the Fair’s strong tradition in culture and the arts, but also to leave a lasting mark. We know that the İzmir International Fair will continue to be one of the most important symbols of this city’s outward-looking, innovative, and bold identity. With the value it adds to the city’s culture, international visibility, and collective memory, it will continue to be a source of pride for all of us.”
Fırıldak: “We are here to create unforgettable experiences”
Expressing their pleasure at contributing to the Fair as its event sponsor, Migros Northern Aegean Director Güneş Fırıldak said: “The İzmir International Fair is one of İzmir’s most deeply rooted values. At Migros, we have been proud and delighted to serve as the event sponsor of this major gathering for 15 years. As part of the bond we have built with İzmir, every year we aim to make Migros’ contribution to the Fair richer, more inclusive, and more experience-oriented. We are here to create unforgettable experiences.”
“A vital part of social life that has evolved across generations”
Providing information about the Fair program, İZFAŞ General Manager Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu said: “Once again, we will come together in the heart of the city. Ninety-five years is an exceptionally long time for an event, but when it comes to the İzmir International Fair, this is more than just a number. It represents an important part of İzmir’s urban memory, Türkiye’s exhibition history, and social life that has evolved across generations.”
Music takes center stage at the Lawn Concerts
The Lawn Concerts, one of the traditional highlights of Fair evenings, will take place from September 5–12, between 9:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. The program will feature Emir Can İğrek on September 5 and Levent Yüksel on September 6, both sponsored by Migros, followed by Yıldız Tilbe on September 7, Mert Demir on September 8, Model on September 9, Gülşen on September 10, Teoman on September 11, and Semicenk on September 12. Fair visitors will enjoy evenings filled with music at the Lawn Concerts.
From theater to stand-up: diverse performances at the Open-Air Theater
The Atatürk Open-Air Theater will host theater, stand-up comedy, musical, and interactive performances from September 6–12 as part of the 95th İzmir International Fair. On the opening day of the program, Salih Bademci will take the stage with his performance Sesler. On September 7, Nezaket Erden will perform Sevgili Arsız Ölüm – Dirmit, adapted from Latife Tekin’s work.
Doğu Demirkol will perform on September 8, followed by Çok Güzel Hareketler 2 on September 9. On September 10, Abur Cubur Show, presented by Doğan Akdoğan and Rüştü Onur Atilla, will take the stage. Atakan Çelik and Safa Sarı will perform Sonkiüçdört on September 11. The program will conclude on September 12 with İki Kişilik Oyun, starring Binnur Kaya and Mert Fırat.
Technology and gaming experiences at the Youth Area
The IEF Youth Area will bring together the excitement of the digital world, the energy of sports, and interactive experiences. From September 5–13, every day between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., visitors will be able to compete, get active, create, and take part in a variety of experiences in technology-supported gaming and activity areas.
Children’s favorite characters come to life at the Fair
A specially designed activity area for children at the İzmir International Fair will bring together the colorful world of cartoon characters, mascot-led games, dance and musical performances, themed play areas, interactive activities, and a variety of entertainment experiences. The Children’s Area Activity Program will take place every day from September 5–13, between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
İZELTAŞ and Red Bull activities are also part of the Fair program
The İZELTAŞ Master’s Touch Arena will be designed as an interactive space where visitors can experience craftsmanship, skills, and production through entertaining activities.
The Red Bull Cardboard Boat Event Area will bring entertainment, interaction, and hands-on experiences together from September 5–12. In addition to cardboard boat workshops and other hands-on sessions, DJ performances and various activations will take place throughout the Fair. The program will conclude on September 13 with the Red Bull Cardboard Boat Race at Kültürpark Lake.
Surprise performances throughout Kültürpark
Throughout the Fair, visitors will encounter surprise flash mob performances at various locations across Kültürpark. Short dance performances will take place at different points around the Fair, while opera performances featuring powerful vocals will also be part of the program.
At the “You’re the Conductor” activity, visitors will have the opportunity to become an orchestra conductor for a short time, leading a mini orchestra positioned at the Fair entrance.
The international street performance “Legendary Journey – Légendaires” will meet audiences at Kültürpark with a mystical procession featuring enormous illuminated fox puppets, acrobats, and dancers.
The Parachute Tower, one of Kültürpark’s landmark structures, will also host light shows throughout the Fair. Lighting elements projected onto the tower’s architectural façade will create a distinctive visual experience throughout the evening.
A multi-layered journey through the life of Nâzım Hikmet
At the heart of the cultural and artistic program of the 95th İzmir International Fair will be ROMANTİKA / The Voyage of a Lifetime, one of the most comprehensive exhibitions dedicated to Nâzım Hikmet ever presented in Türkiye. Produced by Folkart with the contribution and hosting of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, the exhibition will be open to visitors at the Atlas Pavilion from September 5, 2026, to January 15, 2027.
Kültürpark’s 90-year story told through an exhibition
Prepared to mark the 90th anniversary of Kültürpark, the “Kültürpark at 90” exhibition will be open at the Pakistan Pavilion from August 5 to December 31, 2026. During the İzmir International Fair, the exhibition will be open between noon and 11:00 p.m.
Curated by Aybala Yentürk, the exhibition explores the establishment and 90-year history of Kültürpark through its relationship with İzmir’s development and the İzmir International Fair.
From landmarks of art to İzmir cuisine
The “Stops of Art – Hüseyin Terzioğlu Collection Exhibition” will meet art lovers at the Mehmet Tüzüm Kızılcan Art Gallery from August 21 to September 21, 2026. The exhibition, the result of nearly 30 years of collecting, brings together figurative and abstract examples of contemporary Turkish painting.
Different culinary cultures come together at the Food Area
Themed areas will be created at various points throughout Kültürpark, with a layout designed to ensure that commercial spaces and social and experiential areas complement one another. The planning aims to balance visitor circulation and create activity throughout different parts of Kültürpark during the day.
The Food Area, to be established around the lake, will bring together businesses representing a variety of culinary cultures.
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality to welcome visitors in its dedicated area
The İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and its affiliated units will also meet visitors in a specially designed area at the 95th İzmir International Fair. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about municipal services, projects, and initiatives aimed at improving urban life.
The area will host workshops for different age groups, information and awareness activities, competitions, cultural events, and interactive applications, encouraging active visitor participation throughout the Fair. Municipal services related to urban life will be presented through entertainment, experience, and interaction-focused activities, with programs designed for children, young people, and adults.
In this way, the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality’s initiatives across the city will be introduced to visitors within the Fair’s social and cultural atmosphere.
IEF will welcome visitors from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
The İzmir International Fair will bring companies from a variety of sectors together with visitors. Throughout the Fair, culture, art, entertainment, and experience-focused activities will take place at different locations across Kültürpark.
Having welcomed 776,843 visitors last year, the Fair will once again be one of İzmir’s most important meeting points, bringing together trade, culture, art, and entertainment.
With Folkart as the main sponsor and Migros as the event sponsor, the İzmir International Fair will welcome visitors every day from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Admission to the İzmir International Fair has been set at TRY 100 for full-price tickets and TRY 50 for students.