presentation eura conference madrid 2009
DESCRIPTION
Presentation of a paper I wrote for the 2009 EURA Conference in Madrid: 'European Capital of Culture: Community or Commercially Based?'TRANSCRIPT
European Capital of CultureCommunity or Commercially Based?
www.eukn.org
Main questions
What does the economic and instrumental focus of the European Capital of Culture event mean for cities?
What does this focus mean for the local inhabitants and local democracy?
Urban cultural festivals
A successfulEuropean Capital of Culture
Balance
Open discussion
Integrated planning
Making culture part of existing policy
Goals of Istanbul ECoC 2010
Turning Istanbul into a world city
European integration
Improving cultural management
Improving cultural infrastructure
Urban transformation and restoration
Involving the Istanbul population
Stimulating tourism
WORLD CITY
EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
“The candidacy of Istanbul for ECoC 2010 should be regarded as a sign of our commitment to the cultural convergence of Turkish civil society with the EU.”Egemen Bagis, former head of 2010 Advisory Committee
“Istanbul’s designation as a European Capital of Culture will further the European political project, the European values and the sense of European belonging.”Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey
“ECOC 2010 is a major culture and arts activity to introduceEuropean culture to Istanbul and Istanbul to European culture, and try to indicate the common roots of the city’s culture and Europe. Wewant to use this event as a big PR instrument, a communications project not only for the people of Istanbul, but also for the Europeanpeople. We should show them that Turkey is not too far away from,or maybe already part of them.”Nuri Colakoglu, former chairman of the 2010 Coordination Board
IMPROVIING CULTURAL MANAGEMENT
IMPROVING CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
URBAN TRANSFORMATION/RESTORATION
INVOLVING THE ISTANBUL POPULATION
STIMULATING TOURISM
Lack of overall vision
Soft & hard objectives
Especially governmental goals dominate
Differences in opinion instabilities
Discontent
Conclusion
Balance between economic and socio-cultural goals
Every goal has its downside
Balanced cooperation
Celebrating the city, its people and its culture
Democratic project
Recommendations
Involve the entire city
Do not let great expectations blind you from pitfalls
Make sure that all voices are heard and given a chance to speak
Equal and transparent cooperation and communication
Aim for sustainable results for the city
Do not expect too much
Simone Pekelsma, Researcher, [email protected] - +31-(0)70-344 05 11