The Istanbul Toy Museum is preparing to celebrate its 14th birthday with the joy of 23 April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day..

On this meaningful day, which Mustafa Kemal Atatürk gave as a gift to all the children of the world, the Istanbul Toy Museum will celebrate both its new year and 23 April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day by sending loving letters and pictures to children and museums in different countries around the world. The letters will carry stamps designed from works in the Istanbul Toy Museum’s collection.

Before computers and smartphones came into our lives, writing a letter or sending a card was one of the most special ways of sharing feelings, thoughts, longings and dreams. Just as we waited for the letters and cards we wrote with all our heart to reach the people we sent them to, we also kept watch for the postman to bring us news from our loved ones.. On 23 April, museum visitors will come together to remember these forgotten feelings, pass them on to new generations and send great love from little hearts to the whole world, putting their feelings into pictures and letters.

Our young guests will post the letters they write and the pictures they draw with all these lovely feelings into the post box in the garden of the Istanbul Toy Museum, so that they reach the Nuremberg Toy Museum, the Salzburg Toy Museum, the Charlie Chaplin Museum, the National Toy Museum of Russia, the Hellenic Children’s Museum and the St. Petersburg Toy Museum… Before the workshop, Gönül Yeprem and Kukla Şerbet will be on stage, giving our children unforgettable moments with children’s songs. The festive 23 April celebrations will take place from 13:00 to 15:00. Especially for 23 April, guests aged 0-18 can visit the museum free of charge.

Event Programme13:00 – 13:45 “Gönül Yeprem and Kukla Şerbet” Children’s Concert

14:00 – 14:45 “ A Letter from the Istanbul Toy Museum!” Workshop