Madame Tussauds to open in Istanbul

ISTANBUL – Anadolu Agency

A leading brand in bee’s wax statues, Madame Tussauds will open its 21st center in Istanbul in December this year. 

The museum was launched at a press conference on May 31 at Pera Palace Hotel with the participation of Legoland Discovery Center Director and Madame Tussauds Istanbul Group General Director Sarper Hilmi Suner and Merlin Entertainment Director of New Openings Marcel Kloos. 

Stating that they set to open Madame Tussauds Istanbul on Dec. 21 at Grand Pera in Beyoğlu, Suner said the museum would be home to nearly 60 famous figures from national and international art, history, sports and the political world. 

He also noted the museum was proud to open a branch in Istanbul, where the East and the West unite. 

Speaking about the life story of Madame Tussauds, Suner said, “The most attractive part of Madame Tussauds Museum is to be in personal contact with the person whose statue is being made… Detailed work is carried out; more than 250 body sizes are measured. Nearly 180 photos are taken and the whole body is scanned with 3D technology. And it turns into a bee’s wax statue. Under the light of this data, the statues are made by experienced sculptors within 12 weeks at least and a life-like artwork is created.”

Suner said the museum would include a statue of Rumi, and added, “Because there is no specific photo of Rumi except for miniatures, Rumi’s statue has been created with the body size of his 22nd generation grandson, Faruk Çelebi.”

Turkey an important market 

Kloos said with its young population, Turkey was an important market for Merlin Entertainments and they would like to be integrated into Turkey properly. 

He noted that the company had 111 centers of attraction in 23 countries on four continents, adding, “Our goal is to draw millions of visitors in the world market and offer them unforgettable and satisfying experiences... We will reach our goals and success thanks to our team’s dedication. Our passion is to make people laugh or scream.” 

The press conference also featured bee’s wax statues of pop singer Madonna and Argentinian football player Lionel Messi. 

Madame Tussauds Istanbul will cover an area of 2,000 square meters on the first two floors of Grand Pera on İstiklal Avenue. The museum will offer a historical visit to the Ottoman and the republic eras. 

Statues of figures like Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Zeki Müren, Mazhar Fuat Özkan (MFÖ), Barış Manço and Mimar Sinan will be in the museum. The full list of the statues will be launched later because of the nondisclosure agreement with the figures whose statues will be made.