On 23 April, National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, which Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk gave as a gift to the children of the world, we invite you both to share the joy of the holiday and to celebrate the 19th birthday of the Istanbul Toy Museum.
The Istanbul Toy Museum, which opened its doors to visitors on 23 April 2005 with toys that are among the finest pieces in the history of toys, turns 19 this year.
From its very first year, the Istanbul Toy Museum has welcomed all members of the family together and has given its visitors unforgettable moments with exhibitions in Türkiye and abroad. While it serves as a bridge between the past and the future, it tries to raise awareness by giving a place, in the language of toys, to values that light up the future, such as the culture of living together, world peace and the protection of nature.
With this view, on 23 April 2024, in activities inspired by the “Giraffe Designer Toy Exhibition” created with 18 artists from Toyart.İst, we will highlight the beauty of diversity and draw attention to the harmony that differences create when they come together. With this work, we will also understand the value of creating a whole from parts and of collective work. In the activity with the artist Emre Karaoğlu (MRE) from the Toyart.İst team, we will take inspiration from the giraffes, the heroes of the exhibition, and design our own mural together with all the children. At the activity stations prepared by the ALOHA Parent and Child Development Centre, we will dream, put pieces together and have great fun creating together.
With a concert of children’s songs during the day and, as part of the 23 April events, a traditional dance performance by the Polish Mazurian Song and Dance Ensemble “ELK”, guests of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, we will feel the joy of this happy holiday in our hearts.
Museum entry and all activities are free for children aged 0–18. The museum entry fee is 90 TL for a reduced ticket and 160 TL for a full ticket.
23 April programme of events:
12:30 – 13:15 “From Parts to Whole” Collective Painting Workshop
13:30 Children’s Concert
14:30 – 15:15 “Choose, Create, Play” Design Workshop
15:30 Polish Mazurian Song and Dance Ensemble (ELK)