Buying property in Turkey

Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture

When Sir Jeremy Issacs, the award-winning television producer, announced Istanbul as the third nomination for the 2010 European Capital of Culture, he made the point that the public themselves, rather than the government or city authorities, had pushed for the bid.

This emphasis on the bid as a public campaign rather than a carefully planned part of government strategy that was highlighted by Sir Jeremy - the leader of the selection panel - typifies the spirit and genuine feeling of pride that has been displayed in Turkey.

With so much to work with, it is tempting to see Istanbul's wearing of the culture crown as straight-forward. Maybe so, but this has not stopped the organisers planning meticulously and laying down fresh ideas.

The first meeting of the Advisory Board of Istanbul 2010 European Capital Culture Agency was held on January 27th 2008, at the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce facilities. Deputy prime minister Hayati Yazici set out his clear ideas of how Turkey should embrace 12 months in the limelight.

He said: "Works of art, artistic activities, social life, urbanism services, and image of a city adding values to Europe and European culture are what I understand from European Capital of Culture."

"[The] capital of culture should steer cultural artistic activities. Istanbul should assume [a] role in such activities. Istanbul should be seen, heard, felt and lived," added Mr Yazici.

The underlying theme chosen for 2010 is the concept of Istanbul as the 'City of Four Elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water'. The idea came from the basis of Istanbul's physical and cultural legacy and the distinction that the city is a meeting point of civilisations. Seeing Istanbul as this unique melting pot of culture, the organisers drew parallels with Aristotle's four elements theory.

It was felt by some that Turkey's sharing of the European Capital of Culture title with two other cities - Essen in Germany and Pecs in Hungary - was unfair as Istanbul arguably offers perfect when buying property in Turkey.

"It does not seem to be a special gift to Istanbul that it was selected along with Pecs and Essen, since the city really deserves to be the World Capital of Culture" said Ertugrul Gunay, minister of culture and tourism.

He added: "But this is very important because it gives us a schedule to work on to improve the culture and art scene in Istanbul."

Rather than a hurried construction drive, Istanbul will be concentrating on preserving and enhancing the cultural artefacts. Among the projects will be the Istanbul Greater Municipality's restoration of the city walls.

Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas commented: "We are doing what is necessary to protect Istanbul's historical heritage. We have increased considerably the number of programmes devised to implement more projects to protect our city's cultural tissue in the last few years."

There will be an attempted 'urban transformation' in an effort to encourage Istanbul residents to contribute to the cultural drive. Investments are being made into a wide range of what could be considered cultural platforms such as art exhibitions, libraries, education and media. These investments will bring many more visitors to Istanbul and Turkey alike and will increase the demand for buying property in Turkey.

The six districts that are inline for a major facelift before 2010 are Fener-Balat, Sulukule, Ayvansaray, Persembe Bazaar, Tarlabasi and Halic. While the Sultanahmet Rehabilitation Project will highlight the historic nature of that particular neighbourhood aiming to promote the social awareness of both visitors and local residents.

According to the Turkish Daily News, up to 50 wooden houses in the areas of Zeyrek and Suleymaniye will be restored to their former glory. The Kadikoy Bazaar on the Anatolian side of town, which displays some notable Ottoman architecture, will be renovated

A concept which governments all over the world are keen to promote is that of unity and Istanbul is a good opportunity to showcase this kinship of humankind. A string of cultures and religions have left their mark on the city over 2,500 years. At the height of the Ottoman Empire - which stretched along north Africa, down to Saudi Arabia and into Europe - Istanbul was its bustling capital.

As the French literary figure Alphonse se Lamartine so eloquently pondered: "There [God] and human nature and art are together, created such a prefect place that is valuable to see."

Or as Hayati Yazici put it: "Istanbul is the best example showing that mosques, synagogues, and churches can exist next to each other. We accept Istanbul [as] a symbol city of alliance of civilisations. Being a country undertaking the mission of alliance of civilizations."

It is possible that Istanbul could rival Jerusalem as the capital for the three monotheistic religions. Nori Colakoglu, the president of the executive board of the Initiative Group for the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture, commented: "Our culture of living together in peace could serve as an exemplar for Europe, which has experienced dissension and ethnic, religious, and national fragmentation of serious proportions. We would like to promote this side of Istanbul."

Architecture must also have been a plus point for the judges who designated the hosting of the Capital of Culture to Istanbul. Palaces, mosques and churches make the city one of the most aesthetically stimulating on earth. The Wallpaper magazine voted Istanbul as their Design City of the Year. Istanbul and the surrounding locations are ideal places for buying property in Turkey for those wanting to experience its culture to the fullest.

Rather than simply putting on a year-long cultural festival, Turkey is hoping Istanbul can make some long-standing ties in an international sense. The organising committee have set out include enhancing Turkey's role as a cultural catalyst amongst its geopolitical neighbours, strengthening bonds between Europe and Turkey, embracing European culture for durable cultural collaboration and endorsing dialogue between European and Turkish artists.

Among the other benefits that the Turkish government will look forward to as knock-on effects of 2010 will be creation of extra jobs in a wide range of fields, the renovation and protection of Istanbul's prized museums and for the Istanbul residents themselves the experience of "discovering the beauty of their city". It will also increase demand for buying property in Turkey in Istanbul and the surrounding areas.

With Turkey's tipped ascension to the EU on the horizon, it is clear to see that Istanbul 2010 comes at a time when it would beneficial to take the chance of showing Europe the embracing nature and rich multiculturalism of Istanbul. What better way than a year as the European Capital of Culture?

Important to note is the fact that 2010 will be the last time a non-EU member state can be named the European Capital of Culture, making Turkey's year all the more poignant.

An almost guaranteed stream of tourists that are likely to attend events staged throughout the year in Istanbul will probably make officials in Essen and Pecs very envious indeed. Not only is the city a popular choice with those taking a city break, but the range of resorts that line the Turkish Riviera further south are likely to provide a launching pad for many more visitors to come and join the festivities. Buying property in Turkey along the Turkish Riviera will also increase in popularity for investors looking to purchase here and visitors looking to rent.

With over 6.5 million people coming to Istanbul in 2007, up from 5.4 million the previous year and the new air routes which are due to open up in the near future, it would not be surprised if the 10 million mark is reached in 2010.

The budget for activities in Istanbul 2010 is €65 million and funding is being pooled from various sources including advertising, central government and the EU.

As well as the cultural centres dotted around the city, venues expected to be a big part of the proceedings include the Ataturk Museum, Museum of Railways, Istanbul Modern, the Art Sumer Gallery and Pyramid Art Gallery, alongside sores of others.

Orhan Taner, director of the annual Contemporary Istanbul Art Fair, told the Financial Times: "There was a big gap in terms of modern cultural destinations located between Berlin and Shanghai. There are a lot of cities vying to become that new cultural centre, but none of them has the history, geographical position and dynamism that Istanbul offers."

The reward of a successful reign as the European City of Culture will have been earned by the city's cultural and artistic communities, academics and administrators who started preparing a bid as early as 2000, but also for the people of Istanbul, who deserve to have their city celebrated in such a fashion.