Six thousand people will be involved in celebrations this weekend to officially launch Istanbul as the 2010 European Capital of Culture.

Promoting Istanbul 2010.
Photo: istanbul2010.org

The city of Istanbul, which straddles two continents, is promising a spectacular artistic show for the official launch of events as the European Capital of Culture for 2010. Among a blaze of fire, balloons and light shows around a thousand artists will be directly involved in events at seven different locations across the city. At the main official ceremony around 5,000 guests from around the world will witness an hour-long music, dance, poetry and light show aimed at revealing the sources of inspiration and the cultural heritage of Istanbul.

Head of the organising board for the year’s events, Şekip Avdagiç, says: "Istanbul is ready to share its energy with Turkey and the rest of the world through the title of ‘European Capital of Culture’ and the organisation of 400 cultural and artistic projects to be realised by the end of the year."