Nilgün Mirze on the effects of a Capital of Culture and Istanbul 2010

As a Capital of Culture, Istanbul is a peculiarity since Turkey is not one of the EU member states. From 2000 to 2010, Turkish culture manager Esra Nilgün Mirze who is interviewed in this video, was the director of international relations at Istanbul2010.

During her conversation with 2010LAB.tv, Nilgün Mirze considers the consequences of a tenure as Capital of Culture. What happens after that year - does the title still make sense after all the events are checked off from all the lists?

Beyond Dialogue
Which cities in non-EU countries will be the next Capitals of Culture? Our intellectual curiosity should make us explore cultural diversity beyond the EU borders. To get to know each other is still the most important step and the best strategy to achieve integration.

Civil Society Initiative
Nilgün Mirze reviews Istanbul’s tenure as Capital of Culture. Did it redefine the awareness of the citizens regarding their cultural heritage?
The cooperation of industry, artists, people with ideas, producers, and the government has led to a new form of cultural infrastructure - a cultural governance with impressively flat hierarchies.

Text: Boris Alexander Knop