An extraordinary number of seminars, fairs, symposiums and workshops are already underway as Istanbul showcases its immensely rich culture to the world. Though it's not just happening in Turkey.
The visitor to Istanbul, already overwhelmed by the strength and vibrancy of cultural options on offer, has an amazing choice of visual and performing arts to overdose on from now until the end of next year.
What’s a European Capital of Culture?
The European Capital of Culture (ECOC) programme was launched over two decades ago to give greater attention to promoting European culture. It allows nominated cities the opportunity to promote, develop and explore in greater detail their historic and traditional cultural heritage, while at the same time focusing on modern and often urban forms of artistic expression.
With politics and economic issues often ensnaring the spotlight, it was decided to designate cities as cultural capitals for a year to showcase their cultural wealth. In 1987 Athens became the first ECOC and in 2010 Istanbul will become the first metropolis of a non-EU member state to bear the title.
Geography aside, Istanbul has interacted culturally with Europe for centuries and this dynamic, fast-changing city of 12 million has a splendid opportunity to display its vast cultural heritage in dance, music and opera, visual and traditional arts.
The “Season of Turkey” began in France
The Eiffel Tower lit up like the Turkish flag as "La Saison de la Turquie" was inaugurated in October 2009. The iconic structure beamed red and white for a number of days to promote the program of events that will run to March 2010.
France has always maintained a strong cultural presence in Istanbul. The prestigious Galatasaray Lycée has been educating francophone Turks for five centuries, The École Spéciale d’Architecture has maintained a relationship with Turkey since the former was founded in 1865, and the School’s director, Henri Prost conceived an urban management plan for Istanbul for thirty years from 192 to 1959.
Visual Arts and Music Projects
In Istanbul, “Breaking the Stereotype” is a visual arts project that aims to bring a closer understanding between East and West through images. A collaborative work between Turkey, Lebanon and Austria, part three of the program will exhibit visual materials from a photography contest.
The exhibition intends to contrast the sometimes irrational preconceptions of Oriental and Occidental cultural views with representations of self-perception in literature, the media and daily life. The migrant’s perspective, that of a Turk living in Austria or vice-versa, will help break down the persistent and sometimes negative judgements that are made by people in all cultures when looking at 'the other'.
Music is fundamental to Istanbul. "Türku" and melancholic Arabesque tunes will already be familiar to those who know something of Turkey, where a night out on the town or in the village always includes a serious amount of soulful singing in dimly lit cafes serving meze dishes and raki, an aniseed drink that gives a tremendous amount of confidence to the untalented.
"A story of the city, Constantinople, Istanbul” is a music project that delves into cross-cultural interactions and how they have shaped the energetic Istanbul of today. Looking at court music and influences from the military, ethnic groups and religion, the project also pays tribute Anatolian immigrant made to the music scene and the impact of Arab tunes.
“A story of the city, Constantinople, Istanbul” concert is scheduled for 18 June 2010 at the Harbiye Stadium, Istanbul.
Dance and Literature
The life of Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha, Admiral of the Ottoman Navy, and his sailors will come to life in a production by the Turkish State Opera and Ballet
Focusing on the relationship humanity shares with water, the work will bring 16th-century seafaring to life. Barbarossa is a revered Ottoman character of a by-gone age and the dance spectacular will travel across Turkey to revitalise his enduring fame.
Various projects are already underway to highlight contemporary artists and craftsmen producing beautiful Islamic calligraphy, miniature paintings, illumination and “ebru”, the distinctive paper marbling used as stationery, bookbinding, or today, as pieces of art in their own right.
One of the more curious projects is the release of a large number of volumes of the Qadi, legal judgements made under Islamic law and which have been gathering dust on shelves since the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire.
While reams of legalese may not be everyone’s chosen bedtime reading, these records are bound to provide a fascinating historic insight into Ottoman social history and mores.
Istanbul Museums and Galleries
Along with the ECOC 2010 program, visitors will naturally be able to take in the historic sites that have already been about for a hundred years (or many more), including Topkapi Palace, the Archaeological Museum, Haghia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Kariye Museum.
More modern artistic offerings will be on show at the city’s youngest and most fashionable art and cultural complexes, SantralIstanbul, while the Istanbul Modern Art Museum in Tophane continues to dazzle visitors with its world-class collection of Turkish artists and international exhibitions.
James Heywood - James Heywood has worked in education, banking and finance, hospitality and publishing. He completed his tertiary education in ...
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