Istanbul 2010 - European Capital of Culture
Istanbul was chosen as European Capital of Culture 2010 by the EU Council in April 2006. After announcing the appointment various international and national cultural events were organized and the city is prepared with various sites of development of its historical heritage. New restoration projects at historic sites are already underway, as well as expansion and renovation in the arts and cultural centers.
The Atatürk Cultural Center will be renovated, Topkapi Palace, the former Spice Bazaar and the Hagia Sophia. A new cultural center was opened to Maslak to accommodate the various shows and performances. Now free concerts, exhibitions of young famous artists, dance performances by international groups are given throughout the city. Throughout the year of cultural events will take place in all neighborhoods and suburbs of Istanbul.
Visual arts, music and opera, film documentary, animation, literature, theater and performing arts, traditional arts, educational projects of urban culture, cultural heritage, museums, urban planning, tourism, international relations are the different business areas.
Below are some of the predominant types of cultural activities and festivals in Istanbul: European Capital of Culture 2010 - Where cultures meet.
Performing Arts: Activities in this category include the Theatre Festival in Turkey, the European Festival of Universities, 2010, the International Ballet Competition and the Istanbul International Puppet Festival in Istanbul.
Visual arts workshops for young local talent will be led by world-renowned artists. Works of artist exchanges between artists from Istanbul and Berlin and a parade of photographs. Turkish traditional arts of the book - The Modern Masters exhibition will aim to present calligraphy, ornamentation, marbling (ebru), the miniature, the binding of masters past and present, from 1453 to present.
Cinema: "The Book of Silver Film of Istanbul" with many films, short films, documentaries on Istanbul. The movie "10 Istanbul" will be filmed by 10 foreign directors in 10 different districts of Istanbul. The documentary "Istanbul Goes to the Movies" will present the city through thousands of movies and images from the early days of Turkish cinema to today, highlighting the evolution of architecture, fashion and music in Istanbul.
Literature: The International Novel Contest and essay competitions will be organized. Two other projects are The Literature Map of Istanbul and a book entitled "Istanbulum - My Istanbul" consisting of essays by 40 authors İstanbuliotes.
Music: A series of concerts entitled "2010'a Gider Iken" (On the road to 2010), free concerts on the main squares, public transport and parks, minutes of concerts in historical sites, concert of the legendary Rock U2.
Museums and Exhibitions: As part of the conservation strategy for the Sur-i Sultani (Sultan's Wall) in March, the exhibition "Strategic Plan Sur-i Sultani" in an area covering the Topkapı Palace, the Museum of Istanbul Archaeology, Church St. Irene and Gülhane Park. This category also includes the Türvak Cinema, the Museum of Theatre and Television, Istanbul 1910-2010: The city, the Exhibition Built Environment and Architectural Culture, the project "Meeting the City-Meeting the Museum". In addition the Museum of the Islands of Istanbul which aims to create a municipal museum highlighting the culture and history of bedecked Princes Islands.
