Istanbul launches year as European Capital of Culture

The official start of Istanbul's tenure as 2010 European Capital of Culture (ECOC) took place over the weekend at the Halic Congress Center. More than 4,000 guests, including President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, attended the event. The occasion began with a speech by Sekip Avdagic, the chairman of the ECOC Agency, who explained the process of how Istanbul was chosen a capital of culture, how the agency was established, and how its 500-plus projects had been chosen. Saying that it was a privilege to have the opportunity to serve Istanbul, Avdagic called the city a common ground, common culture, common past and common future with the world. Avdagic urged people to rediscover the city, saying, "Now is the time for Istanbul." Also addressing the ceremony, in a speech punctuated by frequent applause, Erdogan spoke of his years as mayor of the city in the 1990s and touted its rich cultural heritage. Citing verses by poets Yahya Kemal, Sezai Karakoc, Necip Fazıl Kisakurek, Nazim Hikmet and Nedim, Erdogan said that Istanbul was bestowed on Turkey by history and civilization. Erdogan highlighted the city's position in world history and its multicultural structure. "Istanbul is a little bit of Sarajevo, a little bit of Jerusalem," he said. "It's Paris, Vienna, and Madrid. It's Baghdad, Damascus, and Amman. But Istanbul is mostly Istanbul." Touting the city's centuries-long tradition of tolerance and coexistence, Erdogan said mosques, churches and synagogues share the same streets with peace and tolerance. The official inauguration ended with a spectacular fireworks display that was greeted with enthusiasm by Istanbulites despite the cold, rainy weather.