İstanbul 2010 Capital of Culture rejects

Another interesting project that was not approved was the “Knock on Wood İstanbul” project. This would have included placing giant nazar boncuğu -- blue charms against the evil eye -- in historic places like the Galata Tower, the Maiden Tower, the Hagia Sophia Museum, Topkapı Palace and the Basilica Cistern.

Actually there could have been more than just evil eye charms. If the “Wish Trees” project had been approved, we would also be seeing trees with old pieces of cloth tied to their branches all over İstanbul. The project included planting trees in İstanbul for people to make wishes by tying old cloth around their branches. The same kinds of trees would be placed in Essen and Pécs, the two other 2010 European capitals of culture and people would be invited to share their wishes about İstanbul. This was meant to foster interaction between cultures. Of course, it’s debatable just how effective it would have been to promote İstanbul in this way or whether the public would show an interest in these trees. Speaking of trees, we should also mention that there was an idea of adorning buildings in İstanbul with plants and flowers. Nature lovers must have wanted to give color to the cultural capital, because they recommended decorating windows with live flowers. But taking care of flowers is difficult so this project was not approved.

We are talking about introducing İstanbul to the rest of the world. Thinking that İstanbul’s history and culture should not be the only aspects of Turkey that are promoted, some people argued that the beauty of Turkish women should also be explained. So another proposal was for a “Queen of World Civilizations” contest. After all, İstanbul is a center of attraction not just for the people in İstanbul but for the entire world. The plan was to hold a competition in which young women from all over the world would participate so as to promote Turkey, the cradle of civilization. The agency rejected this idea, as well.

Mantı at your door in 2010 with one telephone call

Given Turkey’s legendary cuisine, it was impossible for there not to be any projects including food. In fact, there was a project that involved making laborious mantı, small dumplings filled with meat and served with yogurt and melted butter. The “Mobile Mantı Pleasure” project that was presented to the 2010 agency included setting up “mantı centers” in different parts of İstanbul where people could call to order mantı and have it shipped to their home. This was not the only rejected food-related project. One project, “The migration of hidden sweets,” sought to research traditional sweets made by people who had migrated to İstanbul. This was meant to show how cross-cultural interaction affects culinary culture. There was another cuisine-themed plan that included presenting traditional dishes from İstanbul to students at four major universities. This idea probably came from a student who had the interests of his friends at heart. Mantı and desserts aside, beverages from the Ottoman era were also not forgotten. The drinks were planned to be offered in places decorated with antique furniture. But that idea was rejected as well.

Making the Bosporus Bridge look like a piano

The rejected applications also included one project for painting the Bosporus Bridge to look like a piano and organizing concerts on the bridge that would then be broadcast on giant screens on the seven hills of İstanbul. Another was to distribute drums to everyone in İstanbul. With the help of musician Burhan Öcal, İstanbul would have been turned into a workshop of rhythm. Imagining İstanbul with thousands of people playing drums is rather interesting. While the sound of the drum is nice from a distance, let’s turn to a more colorful project. The “2010 spotlight” project would have seen İstanbul immersed in lights. While I was wondering if the light-up toys we see at concerts would be a good way to promote İstanbul, I found out that these phosphorous lights were different. By different, I mean the toys would have a 2010 logo on them. The agency must have felt that this project was not sufficient to promote İstanbul, because it was rejected.

Another project would have focused on juggling as a multi-disciplinary activity that combines art, athletics, science, music, dance, choreography, theater and acrobatics on the streets.