Konak Municipality Radio and Democracy Museum

Konak Municipality Radio and Democracy Museum

This museum may be one of the approximately 390 radio museums in the world, but it sure is the only one combining 'Radio and Democracy' concepts together.

This museum is located at Sarmasikli Ev (Ivy House), a two-storey house with a small yard, donated to Konak Municipality by Fahrettin Selcuk. After a long preparation period of two years, Izmir Radio and Democracy Museum opened its doors on 5 December 2013 with a ceremony attended by famous radio hosts and presenters.

Museum collection includes radios, record players, numerous records and interactive pieces ranging from the 1920s to 2000s. When you turn the radio buttons, you can bear witness to historical moments such as Ataturk's speech in national assemble on 10th anniversary of Republic Day, Yassiada trials defence by Adnan Menderes (former prime minister of Turkey), Kenan Evren's military coup announcement, or defence testimony of Deniz Gezmis.

In 2015, Radio and Democracy Museum was shortlisted in European Museum of the Year Award presented by European Museum Forum. The most significant aspect distinguishing Radio and Democracy Museum from other radio museums is historical sectioning. Museum includes six galleries displaying radios, and middle section has interactive features as well. Each gallery includes information panels describing general political atmosphere of the world and important radio events, along with visuals from the period.

Museum organizes thematic movie screenings and interviews with radio hosts. Other activities include creative drama workshops for children and adults, and museum training activities.