President Tugay: “We expect over 1 million visitors to the fair”

This year, the 93rd İzmir International Fair will open its doors with the theme of ‘technology’. A promotional meeting was held where İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay stated, “The İzmir International Fair is the first fair of the Republic and the only international fair. We expect over 1 million visitors to the fair.”

The promotional meeting for the 93rd İzmir International Fair, which will be held under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Turkey with the hosting of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and organized by İZFAŞ, was held at the İsmet İnönü Cultural Center in Kültürpark. During the launch, information about the events that will stand out at the fair and general information about the fair were shared.

“First fair of the Republic, the only international fair”

In statements regarding the fair, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay said, “Izmir is inherently the city of the Republic. The İzmir International Fair is the first fair of the Republic, the only international fair. It is the event that has contributed the most to making İzmir a brand city. To think of the İzmir fair separately from İzmir is like thinking of Turkey without İzmir. We are waiting for this fair, which we will organize for the 93rd time this year, with great excitement and curiosity.”

Continuing his speech, Mayor Tugay mentioned that he started his own insurance entry for the first time at the fair and that it brings him great happiness, honor, and excitement to be organizing that fair now as the Mayor of İzmir.

“My duty is to make the fair as lively as before”

Mayor Tugay stated that the official opening will take place on August 31 and noted:

“With the support of our very important chambers in İzmir under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade, we will carry out an event that we hope will attract people’s attention with the participation of approximately 500 institutions and the honorary guest city of İstanbul. Our fair will open on August 30. Since August 30 is a holiday, we will hold the official opening ceremony on August 31 at the Lozan Gate. We have also set the closing date as September 9. We will celebrate the enthusiasm of September 9 together. We see the fair as a legacy and testament from our founder. We consider it one of the most important events in Turkey. Our founder said, ‘No matter how great the political and military victories are, if they are not crowned with economic victories, they cannot be permanent.’ We understand what he was trying to convey to us, and this year, in order to revitalize it, we are organizing this fair with the theme of ‘technology’ to attract especially our youth and citizens who want to experience innovation of the era, aiming to develop it more each year and to recapture the enthusiasm and joy of the old fair. One of the most important duties I see as president is to make the İzmir fair as lively as before, a fair that people from all over Turkey would want to see. This is one of my promises to the people of İzmir.”

Honorary guest city will be İstanbul

Expressing that the honorary guest city will be İstanbul, Mayor Cemil Tugay emphasized that İzmir will be an exemplary city with its innovation and catching up with the times. Tugay stated, “On one side, we have the fires we are experiencing, our worries about the future; on the other side, we will create an environment where we bring together our intellect, science, and hard work with our joy and happiness. The fair will be the days when we shed the pessimism off us and find morale. Our honorary guest, the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, will be with us with a magnificent exhibition and some events that I have not mentioned to make it a bit of a surprise. With the announcement of the event in the early days, we expect far more visitors than before. May it be a beautiful fair, let’s have fun together, find morale, and look to the future with hope. We will overcome every challenge we face by working together. I have always believed in this beautiful city, its people, and the nation. My hope for the future continues strongly. I invite you to join this hope.”

Over 1 million visitors are expected

Stating that over 1 million visitors are expected at the fair, Tugay said, “I believe the entrance fee is reasonable, and concerts and events will be free. As in every year, this year there will also be special trips to the fair on all lines.” Mayor Tugay expressed that he would make a vow for the fair to go off without accidents.

Full ticket is 20 TL, student ticket is 7.5 TL

Providing information about the fair, İZFAŞ General Manager Canan Karaosmanoğlu Alıcı stated, “This tradition, which has been ongoing for 93 years, is always an important commercial and cultural heritage of our country. There will be events suitable for this theme. Activities will include experiencing sports activities with virtual reality glasses. There will be an experience of walking on the moon with virtual glasses from digital magazines and space camps. Nearly 3,000 athletes from 90 countries will come. Fair guards will also be present at the fair for 11 days. Art and music are one of the lifebloods of the İzmir fair. The first of the grass concerts will take place on August 30 with Mert Demir. Artists such as Teoman, Hayko Cepkin, and Hande Yener will be with us at the grass concerts. The entrance fees for the fair are set at 20 TL for full entry and 7.5 TL for student entry.”

“We live in a special city”

Speaking at the meeting, FOLKART Chairman Mesut Sancak expressed, “Once again, they have made us proud to be the main sponsor. We live in a special city that we should always appreciate. It has been the point where civilizations have intersected for centuries. İzmir has hosted different rich civilizations and great people and artists. We are people who grew up and succeeded in İzmir. With this awareness, I believe that spending part of what we have gained on our city is not a grace but our duty.”