The Istanbul Toy Museum, one of the most original themed museums in Türkiye and the world, is preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary on 23 April 2025.

Founded on 23 April 2005 by Belgin Akın and the poet and writer Sunay Akın in a historic mansion in Istanbul’s Göztepe district, the museum will celebrate its 20th year with a special, meaningful exhibition.

For this special anniversary, the Istanbul Toy Museum invited leading graphic designers in Türkiye to design special posters that reflect the spirit of the museum and the universal language of childhood. Each interpreting the museum’s 20-year journey in its own way, these posters will meet museum visitors from 23 April.

The exhibition, opening under the title “Play On: The Istanbul Toy Museum Turns 20!”, will feature poster designs by Ethem Onur Bilgiç, Berkay Dağlar, Önder Sakıp Dündar, Gürbüz Doğan Ekşioğlu, Ramize Erer, Bülent Erkmen, Özge Güven, Gökçe İrten, Utku Lomlu, M. Kutlukhan Perker, Oğuzcan Pelit, Burak Şentürk, Haluk Tuncay and Emrah Yücel. With this exhibition, the museum will hold a very special celebration that brings together not only toys but also art, design and the spirit of childhood.

Speaking about the museum’s 20th anniversary, Sunay Akın said: “Without a holding company or any financial backing behind it, and despite all difficulties, the Istanbul Toy Museum has raised the reputation of Turkish museology in the world, and this success belongs entirely to its visitors and museum staff. We thank everyone who has stood by us and supported us in every way. This success belongs to everyone in our country who values children, culture and knowledge.”

The poster exhibition “Play On: The Istanbul Toy Museum Turns 20” can be visited between 23 April and 23 June.