Thessaloniki International Fair opens 90th edition today with Japan as honoured country

The 90th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) commenced on September 5, 2026, at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition and Congress Centre, marking a milestone event with a diverse assembly of over 1,000 exhibitors representing 25 countries. Highlighting this year’s edition is Japan, chosen as the honoured country, bringing a compelling fusion of tradition and innovation to the historic fair.

Japan’s participation is centered in Pavilion 13, a dedicated 3,200 square meter space designed to embody the Japanese philosophy of takumi—an artisanal dedication to mastery, precision, and human-focused craftsmanship. The pavilion showcases a broad spectrum of industries ranging from automotive and pharmaceuticals to energy, digital transformation, agriculture, and tourism.

Prominent Japanese enterprises such as Toyota Hellas, Mitsubishi Electric, Fujifilm, and Takeda, among others, contribute to the pavilion’s dynamic presence. Additionally, cultural organizations including the Japan National Tourism Organization and the Japan-Greece Society are instrumental in representing Japan’s multifaceted profile. This comprehensive presentation offers visitors insight into Japan’s cutting-edge technological advancements and rich cultural heritage.

Complementing the industrial exhibits, the fair’s cultural program features more than 40 events spotlighting traditional and contemporary Japanese arts. Attendees can experience live performances of Taiko drumming, shamisen music, calligraphy demonstrations, and traditional dance. The pavilion also honors popular culture through anime, manga, and cosplay tributes. Culinary enthusiasts will find a specially curated restaurant serving diverse Asian menus, reflecting Japan’s gastronomical traditions.

Coinciding with the 90th edition, TIF is also commemorating a century since the inaugural fair in 1926. To celebrate this centenary, a collaborative exhibition titled "TIF 100 Years of the Future" has been established in partnership with the MOMus Museum of Contemporary Art. This exhibit offers visitors a historical journey through archival materials, photographs, and multimedia presentations, illustrating the fair’s evolution and its lasting impact on technological progress.

The commemorative spirit extends to Greece’s postal service, ELTA, which has issued a special stamp marking the occasion. The city of Thessaloniki itself reflects the Greek-Japanese connection through symbolic decorations, integrating this international partnership into the urban landscape.

The fair is organized into 11 thematic sectors covering an extensive range of economic and social activities. These include "Greece and Entrepreneurship," hosting chambers of commerce and businesses nationwide; "Flavours of Greece," focusing on regional products with Protected Designation of Origin status; and "Energy and Circular Economy," which emphasizes sustainable solutions.

New additions this year include the "Economy" section, aiming to engage private sector businesses through themes of governance and transparency, and the Wellness & Fitness Arena in Pavilion 16, dedicated to health, nutrition, and sports activities over the nine-day event.

The educational and innovation sectors converge in Pavilion 17, where regions such as Attica, Western Macedonia, and Central Macedonia present their initiatives. A robust programme of pre-arranged business meetings enhances the fair’s commercial dimension, particularly fostering connections within the automotive, pharmaceutical, and tourism industries, including direct engagements with Japanese companies.

Family-friendly features are prominent, with the JuniorLand interactive park offering theatrical and sporting activities, alongside workshops inspired by Japanese culture, supported by The Smile of the Child charity. The fair’s festive atmosphere is further enlivened by daily performances from municipal brass bands throughout Greece.

Evenings at TIF are enlivened by music concerts under the fair’s iconic Arch, providing nightly entertainment accessible with fair admission. To accommodate increased visitor flow during the event, the Thessaloniki Metro operates extended 24-hour service on select days.

Ticketing has been optimized this year with differential pricing favoring online purchases to reduce queues and streamline entry. The fair’s operating hours vary between weekends and weekdays, allowing ample opportunity for visitors to engage with the wide array of exhibits and events.

The 90th Thessaloniki International Fair thus reaffirms its role as a pivotal platform for cultural exchange, business innovation, and public engagement, underscored by a significant international collaboration with Japan that enriches its longstanding tradition.