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Istanbul Fashion Week >>
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Bozcaada >>
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1st Istanbul International Opera Festival >>
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Open Air Museums in Turkey >>
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Feature Article
Turning Istanbul into capital (of culture)
 Since November 2006, when European Commission announced Istanbul to become the 2010 European Capital of Culture, the residents of the city are impatiently awaiting the event as well as closely following the preparations.
By the end of 2009 the event calendar already looks astonishing and leaves no doubts about the advanced stage of preparations. What is more, the agenda is still open for new organizations to take place next year.
But what’s the European Capital of Culture title mean to Istanbul? Some might say that Istanbul already is a culture capital, not only European, but arguably global. Although this is true, the benefits of the title go beyond mere honors.
A 2004 study by the European Commission by Robert Palmer, also known as the Palmer Study, indicates that the choice of European Capital of Culture significantly improves the image of the chosen city in the eyes of its inhabitants as well as visitors and further stimulates cultural development and tourism.
Initially, in 1983, the European Capital of Culture program was called the European City of Culture and was an idea of Melina Mercouri, who was at that time serving as Greek minister of culture. She believed that culture was not given enough attention and called for a project promoting diverse European cultures among member states. The European City of Culture program was launched in the summer of 1985 with Athens being the first title-holder.
The European City of Culture program was renamed the European Capital of Culture during the German presidency of 1999. Following this decision, a group of civil society volunteers in Turkey arranged a meeting in July 2000 to establish an “Enterprise Group” that would take the required steps for Istanbul to be a candidate for European Capital of Culture. The rest of the story is known – in November 2006 Istanbul was awarded the awaited title.
“As Turkey moves ahead with the process of its candidacy for the European Union, the projects that will be realized will demonstrate that Istanbul, the symbol of the country, has been interacting with European culture for hundreds of years,” said the Web site of the Istanbul 2010 agency. The main goal is not only to attract more tourists, but primarily to stimulate cultural life and infrastructure of the city. Therefore many projects are addressed to and involve different social groups, such as youth, women, artists, minorities, academics and many more. The city’s cultural heritage will be also taken under greater protection along with restoration works. Importantly, 60 percent of the budget of the European Capital of Culture is covered from the European Union budget. Last, but not least, Capital of Culture means for Istanbul many new jobs ranging from communications to organization, education, design, management and creative fields.
So while Istanbul’s cultural life will flourish next year, so will the city’s revenue from the subsequently increasing number of tourists. And the City Brief will follow the organization to make sure our readers also get the best of the event.
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