The mayor of Beyoğlu, Ahmet Misbah Demircan, who has been mayor of this historical district for almost six years, says Beyoğlu is right at the heart of İstanbul 2010 as it is where the heart of İstanbul beats when it comes to culture and art.Noting that the originators of the concept of the European Capital of Culture wanted cities of the world to get to know each other better, Demircan says Beyoğlu has always been a place where various cultures and religions live together in harmony. “The world has been inspired by this harmony. When you have a look at the problems facing the world, you see that what lies behind them is a lack of tolerance among people. Those outside of Turkey and İstanbul look at Beyoğlu and want to know how it has contributed to civilization and humanity. Naturally, Beyoğlu, located in the heart of a city that was the capital of empires in the past, is right at the center of İstanbul 2010,” he says.
Stating that the present and the future as well as the past are included within the scope of the title of European Capital of Culture, he notes that what cities have contributed to world civilizations is as important as what they are doing today and what they hope and plan for the future. According to Demircan, the Beyoğlu Municipality has achieved many significant things. “Beyoğlu represents the 2010 European Capital of Culture with both its historical background and its current achievements. We have several projects, from cultural tours for students to ‘neighborhood mansions,’ where we currently provide free courses for 10,000 people on various issues,” he says.
‘We aim to create awareness of culture and arts with 2010’
As for the question of whether Beyoğlu is ready for 2010, Demircan says the municipality has been holding cultural and artistic programs for years and is ready for 2010. “In 2010, we will share in a broader sense the cultural and artistic activities we have been sponsoring for the public for the past six years in Beyoğlu. These activities will be new for some, but not for us,” he adds. Stating that there will certainly be fresh new programs, he said the majority of the activities will be those they have been organizing for years. “Our aim in 2010 is to support and produce cultural and artistic programs that have been unable to make their presence felt and to create awareness among people,” he says. Noting that one of the basic aims of the concept of European Capital of Culture is to create a city atmosphere where people will be able to experience culture and art more closely on the streets, he says they plan to make art and culture accessible to everyone. “Art galleries, theaters and exhibitions will continue their activities just like they did in 2009. But the problem is to what extent people know about these programs. There were many activities that the public did not know much about in 2009, but they will know about them in 2010,” Demircan states. Stressing that it is important that not only the activities of municipalities but those of all cultural institutions gather under the umbrella of İstanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture, he says cultural programs make people feel that they are part of the city.
Demircan stressed that 2010 is a process and that what they have done since 2005 has been part of the period of preparation. “Imagine a building, and imagine that you have to complete construction of that building within three years. You work very hard since you have a deadline. We have been also trying to construct a building to hold cultural and artistic activities for three years in Beyoğlu. We will open this building in 2010. When 2010 comes, we will present this building to the public. There will also be programs specifically for this ‘inauguration ceremony’,” he says.
Noting that they aim to bring a new perspective to culture and the arts in 2010 by creating awareness among the public, he says, “The 2010 European Capital of Culture is a process, and we see it as a steppingstone for Beyoğlu, which has long been hosting cultural and artistic events.”
