Izmir International Fair (IEF) opens its doors for the 95th time this year. The fair, which will open with a ceremony at Kültürpark tomorrow, will remain open and host its guests until September 13. Although IEF has lost much of its power from its former enthusiastic years; Izmir has an important meaning for the Aegean and our country. As it is known, in the past, international fairs were the illuminated windows of countries and cities opening to the world. It reflected the socio-economic life of the places and regions they were in and revitalized their commercial relations.
Izmir Fair has an important place among general trade fairs. With the Fair, which symbolizes the historical development of Izmir, the Aegean and Turkey, this beautiful city is almost united and integrated. IEF is an integral part of beautiful Izmir. Izmir without a fair, a fair without Izmir is unthinkable.
A CENTURY-OLD STORY
The Fair, which will open its doors for the 95th time this year, has a history spanning a century. The country and its people emerged victoriously from the national liberation war; It is also the expression and indicator of the struggle for development in the economy. It is the continuation and multiplier of the exhibition opened during the Economic Congress. The September 9 exhibitions, organized under the leadership of the Society for the Protection of Domestic Goods, evolved into an international fair in the following years.
This meaningful initiative, implemented in Izmir, is also the beginning of a new era in Turkey's economic, social and cultural life. This year is the 90th anniversary of Kültürpark, which hosted the Fair for many years.
IEF AND KULTURPARK
During Behçet Uz's term as mayor, the traces of the Izmir fire were cleared and the foundation of Kültürpark was laid on January 1, 1936. As we have written on various occasions before, the organization of Kültürpark was inspired by Maxim Gorky park in Moscow, the capital of the Soviet Union. In this prepared area, the 6th IEF was opened on September 1, 1936. The fair continued to grow in the following years.
Thus, the function of Kültürpark and the function of IEF were combined and integrated in this area. The Fair continued to be organized even during the Second World War. The flags of the warring countries flew side by side in IEF. Thus, in addition to its commercial and cultural aspects, the Fair also assumed a political function by hosting universal peace.
UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES
The history of the Fair, extending from past to present, has very important interactions on past generations, especially the people of Izmir and the Aegean. Especially, we, who saw and got to know many innovations at the Izmir Fair, cannot forget those periods. Because in those years when communication opportunities were very inadequate compared to today, we saw many technological inventions and innovations for the first time at the Fair. Especially space races were always in our area of interest.
Coming to the Fair from surrounding provinces, districts and other cities was an important ritual. Whenever economic conditions allowed, the family would come to the Fair and visit every corner without missing a single detail. Entertainment venues and gardens where artists performed were also very popular. Many important names took the stage at the Izmir Fair for the first time. Frankly, the naive beauties of the past periods are unforgettable... Evolving from 'national' to 'international' fair, IEF opens its doors for the 95th time this year. We salute the 95th IEF by saying 'to many more fairs'.
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OUR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL HISTORY
The history of Izmir Fair, which has a centuries-old history, is also the economic and social history of our country. All economic, social and political events that took place in the world and in Turkey during the period it was organized were reflected in IEF. For this reason, a time travel from the present to the past through the history of IEF; It also shows us the centuries-old historical process.
HISTORY OF İZMİR-AEGEAN-Türkiye
Izmir Fair has deep roots. The founding story of the fair dates back to the first years of the Republic after the War of Independence. Izmir Economics Congress is the area where the fair was fermented and its seeds were sown. Izmir International Fair, once called 'Arsiulusal'; It is a common value and tradition with its commercial, economic, cultural, entertainment and social aspects.
The Fair, whose foundations were laid in the first years of the Republic and developed and grew with it, has survived from past to present by being organized as a general trade fair.
CONTEMPORARY AND INNOVATION
There are deep traces of both the Fair and September 9 in the past of us, the people of old Izmir and the Aegean. Because we grew up with the Fair and September 9th... Harvesting the grapes and coming to the Fair was a great reward for us... Especially if our arrival coincides with September 9th, don't be upset; We would have killed two birds with one stone… Thus, we would have enjoyed both the Fair and the 9 September anniversary of the liberation of Izmir…
In those years, the Izmir Fair started on August 20 and lasted until September 20. All the innovations and inventions in the world were exhibited there. Especially the stands of the countries would literally be the center of attention. How can we forget these meaningful memories and beauties! Izmir Fair also included very colorful social, cultural and artistic meetings. IEF was like a magical dream, a magical world for us. In short, we would see all the colors and lights of life there...
LIGHTHOUSE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
Countries, organizations and companies participating in the fair from many parts of the world exhibited their newly produced products and the economic and social developments in their countries at the Fair. Conflicts between systems and countries, developments in the field of informatics and communication, new inventions and products; Devices such as the first television, the first computer, the first escalator, and the first space shuttle were all introduced at the Fair.
In short, IEF was a beacon of enlightenment that illuminated the future of our people. Moreover, with all its functions, it was literally a public school in those years...
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TOWARDS THE 100TH FAIR...
We are experiencing the 95th Fair this year. We are rapidly moving towards the 100th Fair. We have always been watching and caring about the Fair since our childhood, almost as long as we can remember.
As an old Izmir and Aegean native, IEF has very deep meaning for us. Especially as a native of Izmir, who has been in the management and general manager of the Fair in the past years, this meaning and importance is even greater for us. For this reason, we are looking forward to the 100th anniversary of the Fair with great excitement.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 100th IEF
The 100th anniversary of historical processes such as the Izmir Fair is important. It carries special meanings wherever you are in the world. In accordance with this importance, it is celebrated with extensive events. Preparations for this are started long in advance.
That's why we want to draw attention to the 100th Fair from today. We want planning and preparations to be made now for the 100th fair. One of the preparations we are considering is the establishment of the 'Fair Museum and Memory' in Kültürpark.
FAIR MUSEUM AND MEMORY
İZFAŞ - While we were the General Manager of Izmir Fair, we brought up the establishment of an 'Exposition Museum' in Kültürpark. In fact, the first fair museum would suit Izmir, the city of firsts and the leader of fair organizing. Moreover, the heart of the Fair is in Kültürpark... In this context, we had determined that the nostalgic fair train, which left important traces in the memories of the people of Izmir and the Aegean, was also in Erzincan. We were going to bring it to Izmir and place it in the garden of the Fair Museum. We had initiated the first initiatives and established the connections.
We believe that this suggestion, our idea and the initiative we have initiated are still valid today and can be implemented in the 100th year. Izmir Fair Museum will connect the past to the present and the present to the future, and will function as a 'bridge of time' between generations.
