Istanbul is a city that has been home to grand civilisations and three empires. Built on seven hills and spanning two continents, the most beautiful city on earth not only in the eyes of its residents but many others as well, Istanbul has always had an aura about it that it is the centre of the world. So for Istanbulites, as the city’s residents are called, it didn’t come as a surprise that their city was designated as the 2010 European Capital of Culture in November 2006. One could say that Istanbul has always been one of Europe’s culture centres; however, her journey to become the European Capital of Culture in 2010 took off in 2000. The European Union’s decision to expand the European Capital of Culture title beyond its member states and include cities from candidate countries inspired a group of Turkish NGO representatives to make a bid for Istanbul.

The Initiative Group that was formed first met in July 2000 and then started to work on garnering the support of local and national government, NGOs and universities for Istanbul’s candidacy. The group also visited the former European Capitals of Culture and established contact with the European Union and its associated bodies. The central government of Turkey gave its full backing to Istanbul’s candidacy. In March 2005, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a memorandum inviting all public bodies and civic organisations to support the Initiative Group’s efforts to make Istanbul the European Capital of Culture.

A bid document was submitted in December 2005 to EU and in April 2006, the EU’s Selection Panel announced its recommendation: The European Capitals of Culture for 2010 should be Istanbul, Pécs in Hungary and Essen in Germany. The Panel’s recommendation was forwarded to the European Parliament for consideration and was approved by the European Union Council of Ministers. In November 2006, all the relevant committees endorsed Istanbul’s candidacy and the city was declared a 2010 European Capital of Culture.

Since the declaration, Istanbul has been working even harder. The Turkish Parliament passed a law to allow the creation of the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency. After the Agency took over from the civilian initiative activities for the European Capital of Culture are being carried out along three main axes: Urban Projects, Culture and the Arts, and Tourism and Promotion.

Within the realm of Urban Projects, major works have already commenced: Restoration of two eighteenth century monuments, the Molla Murat Library and Naz Perver Kalfa School has started, rehabilitation of the Far Eastern porcelain collection – considered the largest collection outside China – exhibition of Topkapi Palace, and the renovation of the Topkapi Palace kitchens.

Another major activity included in Urban Projects is the renovation of the Ataturk Culture Centre (AKM) in Taksim Square. The AKM is considered one of the monuments of modern Turkey and houses Istanbul’s opera and ballet companies as well as the State Theatre Company.

Istanbul’s arts and culture scene has been very lively in the past decades. Its status as the national center of culture and arts life is fast accelerating towards becoming one of the main centers in Europe. Becoming the European Capital of Culture in 2010 will add quite a few exciting events to the arts and culture calendar of Istanbul: ‘Lives and Works in Istanbul’ is a project to bring 10 major European artists who have influenced the arts movements in the past decades together with young Turkish artists in Istanbul and allow them to work and create in a shared space. The works produced will be exhibited in museums dedicated to contemporary art.

‘On the Way to 2010’ is a concept that envisions free open air concerts which take place in different parts of the city. The first stage of the ‘On the Way to 2010’ was demonstrated on World Music Day, 21 June. The summer of 2008 will be witness to 34 concerts in as many corners of the city. The Music and Opera Department will organise these events every year up to 2010. Performances will encompass all kinds of music, including classical music, fasıl, jazz, and Turkish folk music.

Istanbul’s cinema lovers will be able to see the city through the eyes of 10 major international directors in the film project “10 Istanbul”. The Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency will commission an Istanbul movie consisting of 10 short films by 10 world-renowned directors.

There will also be a novel writing contest that will encourage internationally renowned authors to write novels on Istanbul. Entrants’ work will be accepted in English, but those pieces the jury selects as worthy of publication will be published in various languages.

Istanbul is preparing to take the stage in 2010 as the European Capital of Culture. The most amazing city in the world wants to showcase why she is well deserving of such a claim.