Essen and the Ruhr, Pécs and Istanbul headline as European Capitals of Culture
Three cities have been nominated ‘European Capital of Culture’ (ECOC) for 2010: Essen and the Ruhr region in Germany; Istanbul in Turkey; and Pécs in Hungary. All three will have the opportunity to put their artistic potential on show to the world over the coming twelve months. The European Commission (EC), in charge of selecting the cities, says the objective of the ECOC is to “highlight the richness and diversity of European cultures and the features they share, as well as to promote greater mutual knowledge and understanding among Europe’s citizens”.
An EC decision states that in the decade 2009-2019, two EU cities will be appointed European Capital of Culture each year: one must be from a Member State which joined the EU in 2004, the other, a city in any other EU Member State. The opportunity has also been given to cities within the European territory, but not members of the EU, to participate hence allowing Turkey to apply, which was subsequently selected by the EC along with Essen and Pécs.
Essen and Ruhr region kicked of celebrations as a cultural capital on 9 December in the former Zollverein coal mine, a World Cultural Heritage Site. ‘Glück auf 2010’ (Luck for 2010) was the title, an expression formerly used by miners. The venue was chosen to illustrate development in the area and put across the motto of the European Capital of Culture in Essen: “Transformation through culture, Culture through transformation”.
The inauguration in Pécs happened on 10 December. Activities were programmed for a period of 24h. Emphasis was put on showing the different historical periods of the city that is a “cultural gateway to the Balkans”, in the words of the organisers. They also say that investment in the city will provide Pécs and the surrounding area with artistic spaces where socio and economic developments comes from the promotion of the city’s cultural potential and creativity.
Istanbul will celebrate the beginning of its year as a cultural capital on 16 January with concerts, activities and museums keeping their doors open until midnight. Organisers point out that Istanbul is a living example of a “meeting of civilisations” due to its geographical position between Europe and Asia. The president of the coordination board of the agency Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture, Hayati Yazıcı, said at a press conference : “Since Turkey is not yet a member country to the European Union, Istanbul does not receive a great financial support from EU as other European Capitals of Culture do”.
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