Istanbul - European Capitals of Culture for 2010

The chairman of the Executive Committee of Istanbul's bid for the title of Cultural Capital of Europe in 2010 is convinced that Istanbul's long history has enabled the city to 'design a sui generis concept of cosmopolitanism.' If named as a Cultural Capital, the city will 'serve as a showcase of living together.'Istanbul is a contender for the coveted title of Cultural Capital of Europe in 2010. What are the main motivations behind the city’s application?Throughout the ages, Istanbul has been the capital of three of the longest-lived empires in history and a centre for monotheistic beliefs. For centuries, Istanbul served as the capital of many cities which today are capitals in their own right. Such a long experience enabled Istanbul to design a sui generis concept of cosmopolitanism. This design protected not just those who lived in a specific territory but also the identities of scattered populations who did not even share a common language...

from http://meeting-continents.blogspot.com/