Istanbul named European Capital of Culture for 2010
Istanbul beat Kiev, Ukraine's capital, for the title and became the last European Capital of Culture outside the EU; after 2010, non-EU cities can no longer apply.
The celebrations started with a protocol event taking place at the Haliç Congress Center, where Ministers from Turkey as well as neighboring countries participated.
"Istanbul is a European city. With its heart, its culture and civilization, its people, its past and future, it has always looked towards Europe. Istanbul has shaped European culture and has been shaped by it." said Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the country's Prime Minister.
This article is taken from http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Main_Page
Ofiicial website for more details, http://www.en.istanbul2010.org/index.htm
The celebrations started with a protocol event taking place at the Haliç Congress Center, where Ministers from Turkey as well as neighboring countries participated.
"Istanbul is a European city. With its heart, its culture and civilization, its people, its past and future, it has always looked towards Europe. Istanbul has shaped European culture and has been shaped by it." said Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the country's Prime Minister.
This article is taken from http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Main_Page
Ofiicial website for more details, http://www.en.istanbul2010.org/index.htm