Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture
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The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar year during which it is given a chance to showcase its cultural life and cultural development.  

A number of European cities have used the City of Culture year to transform their cultural base and, in doing so, the way in which they are viewed internationally.  

The European Capital of Culture program was initially called the European City of Culture and was conceived in 1983 by Melina Mercouri, then serving as Greek Minister of Culture.  

Mercouri believed that at the time, culture was not given the same attention as politics and economics and a project for promoting European cultures within the member states should be pursued. The European City of Culture program was launched in the summer of 1985 with Athens being the first title-holder.  

During the German Presidency of 1999, the European City of Culture program was renamed the European Capital of Culture.   During the first two decades, cities were chosen primarily based on cultural history, scheduled events and the ability to provide infrastructural and financial support.       

A 2004 study by the European Culture Commission (Palmer Study) demonstrated that the choice of European Capital of Culture served as a catalyst for the cultural development and the transformation of the city. Consequently, the beneficial socio-economic development and impact for the chosen city are now also considered in determining the chosen cities.  

Following the EU Resolution in 1999 enlarging the ECOC Project as to include non-member countries, a group of civil society volunteers in Turkey arranged a meeting on 7 July 2000 in order to establish an “Enterprise Group” that would take the required steps for Istanbul to be a candidate for European Capital of Culture.    

After long processes and endeavors of many civil society members, Istanbul was found ready on 11 April 2006 for being the European Capital of Culture 2010 along with Peç (Hungary) and Essen (Germany).   Conceding the view of European Parliament and approval by the Council of Cultural Ministers of the European Union on 13 November 2006 Istanbul was finally announced to be the European Capital of Culture for 2010.    

Why Istanbul?  
Istanbul maintains a distinguished position among the metropolis of the world with its unique geographical location and a cultural heritage of thousands of years.  As one of the most energetic cities in the world Istanbul continually gets to be an attraction center.

What will happen in the year 2010 in Istanbul?  

• From 2006 onwards the name of Istanbul will be associated with culture and arts all over the world.
• As Turkey moves ahead with the process of its candidacy for the European Union, the projects to be realized will demonstrate that Istanbul, the symbol of the country, has been interacting with European culture for hundreds of years.
• The city’s cultural heritage will be managed in a sustainable manner, becoming an even stronger magnet than before. · Istanbul will achieve lasting gains in the fields of urban renewal, urban living and environmental and social development.
• New museums will be established to protect and display our cultural assets and historical buildings will be renovated, given new roles and opened to the public.
• People of Istanbul will embrace new artistic disciplines. Young talented people will have the opportunity to become more closely involved in artistic creativity.
• Jobs will be created for a large number of people ranging from communications to organization, education, design, management and creative fields. 
• Those who come to Istanbul for cultural and artistic projects will visit the city’s cultural riches, mosques, churches, palaces and museums.
• Cultural tourism will be invigorated and develop. (Educated, cultured tourists spend three times as much as normal tourists. This means that, as a European Capital of Culture, Istanbul will have a great tourism potential.)
• Many people from the world of culture and the arts, together with members of the print and visual media, will come to Istanbul from Europe and different countries all around the world. This will make a positive contribution to the promotion and branding of Istanbul. Being selected as a European Capital of Culture will give a boost to the city’s economic relations with Europe as well as contributing to its cultural relations. With the renovation that will take place, the administrators and administered will join together, hand in hand, sharing their knowledge and experience, to develop a long-term sustainable model for the future.
• Istanbul local residents will be proud of their city as they further discover its beauty.