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Helen Terekhova
New Year with the New European Capitals of Culture [0] - 23.01.2025
2010 knocked our doors in the atmosphere of eternal politicking, economic instability and optimistic expectations. We all want it to become a real success as a result. We all have made our New Year wishes; we all are ready to find new goals and obstacles to tackle, to surmount, to overcome. But there are three cities in Europe which are going to experience even more in the current year. It’s not just a New Year, it’s a new era of their development. This year will definitely become the one of flamboyant prospects for them! – and these words are not a mere talk. To reveal the truth, these cities are Essen in Germany, Pecs in Hungary and Istanbul in Turkey, which are set to reign as the official European Capitals of Culture throughout 2010.
For 25 years, the European Union has been designating different cities to give them the Cultural Crown. Such a status implies great pride, interspersed with the highest responsibility: the European Capital of Culture is to smarten up, build new architectural delights and prepare a vibrant cultural program with the variety of festivals, international events, exhibitions and seminars to satisfy the most exacting tastes and win kindly feelings throughout Europe.
Essen, Germany, widely known as the Ruhr Area, at first sight may seem to be far from being an apt city to succeed. An industrial district with coal and steel production rather than places of interest to visit, Essen is brimming with prodigious number of cultural outlets to discover: 120 theaters, 100 concert halls and 200 museums. And the city seems to have applied immense efforts to make the place worth visiting: there are 300 projects and more than 2,500 events planned. The main theme uniting all of them is "Transformation through culture – culture through transformation”. According to RUHR.2010 Chairman Fritz Pleitgen, "This means strengthening culture on all levels; sustainability; actively and fairly involving all of the Ruhr's cities, counties and residents; and raising the region’s national and international profile by showing first-class art and extraordinary cultural events." (for more information you may visit http://www.essen-fuer-das-ruhrgebiet.ruhr2010.de/)
Pecs is the fifth largest city in Hungary, housing great international festivals year after a year. Although Pecs is at a considerable distance from the Adriatic Sea, it is often described as a Hungarian city overwhelmed by the unblemished Mediterranean atmosphere. UNESCO declared the local city centre a World Heritage Site in 2000, as it has ancient Christian remains. Pecs represents a multicultural mix yet a united culture. By the way, in ancient times, Pecs had the name of the "Borderless city”, and it will certainly prove this title in the figurative sense, during this year as the city of indescribable adventures where one’s imagination can run riot. (find out more: http://en.pecs2010.hu/)
Istanbul is probably the most well-known and overcrowded by tourists Capital of Culture this year. It has been trying hard to win this title since 2000, in the category of "cities outside the EU". The competition had been very keen and there were no limits to its citizens’ joy when the nomination was accepted: "Istanbul…The city where I live, will be the Cultural Capital of Europe! I believe that Istanbul will represent it the best…” (Gonca Jale Peker). Now this city with really long and fulfilled past of over 2500 years of history is willing to strike its visitors-to-be with the glinting array of special events. (some of the most extensive projects are displayed here: http://en.istanbul2010.org/index.htm)
At last, I want to wish these cities to be on the lips throughout the year, to be visited, discussed and adored for their inimitable charm; I wish this year to become rewarding for all the selfless and creative who contribute to running of all the possible ceremonies there, and… one more humble wish for today – for us to have a unique opportunity to visit at least one of these cities, at least for a short while, at least someday! And to feel inspired whatever happens.
Culture |06.01.2010 | Views: 1915
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