Frequently asked questions

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1- What is a European Capital of Culture?

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. This title is given to cities that reflect, enhance and contribute to the European culture.

2- How did the idea of European Capital of Culture emerge and develop?

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. The same year a EU Resolution decreed that the title of European Capital of Culture could be given to more than one city on a calendar year and to cities from countries which are not yet EU members.

3- When was Istanbul declared to be the European Capital of Culture?

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.

4- What parameters rendered Istanbul to be the European Capital of Culture?

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. The cultural awareness improved particularly for the last twenty years is reflected on cultural life in Istanbul.

5- What does this title bring to Istanbul?

Project Istanbul 2010 is an enormous contribution to urban development. Cultural and artistic activities to be held during 2010 will also enhance the position of Istanbul as one of the most important cultural centers in Europe. Unique cultural heritage and creative capacity of culture of Istanbul will make it also an eminent destination for cultural tourism through growing awareness. Subsequently Istanbul will get more financial and economic gains.

6- What does this title bring for local residents?

Project Istanbul 2010 is a great opportunity for rising “urban awareness” to make Istanbul residents proud of their city. Increasing tourism activities in Istanbul will surely bring out more economic benefits and revenues to people. Proliferation and expanding of cultural and artistic activities all through the city rather than focusing in centers will facilitate access to those events for Istanbul local residents.

7- What does this title bring for Turkey?

Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture is a great opportunity for Turkey to sound its name and enhancing its image. Any publicity for Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture goes along with general publicity of Turkey.

8- Does the title European Capital of Culture terminate at the end of 2010?

European Capital of Culture is title given periodically to city or cities every year. Each year different cities are elected European Capital of Culture. However the impetus gained by the investments in Istanbul following its election as the European Capital of Culture will keep on contributing to the cultural economy and tourism. As witnessed in previous European Capitals of Culture, the energy and awareness that come along with the Project Istanbul 2010 will always lead Istanbul to a better future.

9- What is the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency?

The Istanbul 2010 ECOC Agency founded on 2 November 2007 for the purpose of planning and managing the activities for preparing Istanbul as European Capital of Culture by 2010 and coordinating the joint efforts of public bodies and institutions in order to realize this goal. The Agency has been conducting projects on culture, arts, tourism, publicity, urban implementations and preservation of cultural heritage in order to share the cultural richness of Istanbul with the whole world.

10- Will the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency terminate its activities at the end of 2010?

The Istanbul 2010 ECOC Agency founded for the purpose of planning and managing the activities for preparing Istanbul as European Capital of Culture by 2010. It is not a private organization but an entity founded by special Law and gathering expert specialists from public and private sector, as well as from municipalities and NGOs. This peculiar management model is one of a kind in Europe and therefore observed with great interest and admiration in Europe. The purpose of the agency is to establish permanent values to maintain Istanbul’s mission as a Capital of Culture.

11- What are the other cities that gained the title European Capital of Culture?

1985 Athens – Greece

1986 Florence – Italy

1987 Amsterdam – Holland

1988 Berlin – Germany

1989 Paris – France

1990 Glasgow – Scotland

1991 Dublin – Ireland

1992 Madrid – Spain

1993 Antwerp – Belgium

1994 Lisbon – Portugal

1995 Luxembourg

1996 Copenhagen – Denmark

1997 Thessaloniki– Greece

1998 Stockholm – Sweden

1999 Weimar – Germany

2000 Avignon – France; Bergen – Norway; Bologna – Italy; Brussels – Belgium; Helsinki– Finland; Krakow – Poland; Reykjavik – Iceland; Prague – Czech Republic; Santiago de Compostela – Spain

2001 Porto – Portugal; Rotterdam – Holland

2002 Bruges – Belgium; Salamanca – Spain

2003 Graz – Austria

2004 Genoa – Italy; Lille – France

2005 Cork – Ireland

2006 Patras – Greece

2007 Luxembourg; Sibiu – Romania

2008 Liverpool – England

2009 Linz – Austria; Vilnius - Lithuania

2010 Essen – Germany; Peç – Hungary; Istanbul – Turkey

2011 Turku – Finland; Tallinn – Estonia

2012 Guimaraes – Portugal; Slovenia

2013 Marseille – France, Kosice – Slovakia

2014 Sweden, Latvia

2015 Belgium, Czech Republic

2016 Spain, Poland

2017 Denmark, Cyprus

2018 Holland, Malta

2019 Italy

12- Can a European Capital of Culture be candidate one more time?

A city gained the title of European Capital of Culture cannot appeal for candidacy once again.

13- How can we deliver our projects for Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture?

Project submissions for Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture were due on 15 May 2009.

14- How does it work for approval process of the projects submitted for Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture?

Project submissions are evaluated firstly by the artistic committees and then taken up by our executive committee. All projects are viewed in detail and those meeting our criteria are approved and their owners are duly informed.

15- Is it possible to volunteer for the activities within Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture? What can we do for support?

The Project Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture pertains to all Istanbul residents. Volunteers may appeal to our Agency via gonullu@istanbul2010.org

16- How can we get information on projects to be realized within Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture?

Projects to be realized within Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture are published on our website (http://www.istanbul2010.org) Likewise Directors and Managers of the Istanbul 2010 ECOC Agency can be contacted via emails appearing on the CONTACTS page of our website.

17- Is it paid for participating in projects to be realized within Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture?

Activities within Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture are open to public. It is the purpose of the Istanbul 2010 ECOC Agency to bring out activities to Istanbul residents spread in every corner of the city.

18- How to be a sponsor to projects within Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture?

Organizations and institutions willing to be sponsor to projects within Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture can contact our Resource Development Directorate in our Agency.