The European Union chose Istanbul, Turkey's and Europe's largest city, as one of the three European Capitals of Culture for 2010 in 2006, along with Pécs in Hungary, and Essen in Germany. With its rich heritage and urban life, Istanbul is already recognized as one of the world's great cultural capitals.

  Istanbul beat Kiev, Ukraine's capital, for the title and became the last European Capital of Culture outside the EU; after 2010, non-EU cities can no longer apply.

The celebrations started with a protocol event taking place at the Haliç Congress Center, where Ministers from Turkey as well as neighboring countries participated.

"Istanbul is a European city. With its heart, its culture and civilization, its people, its past and future, it has always looked towards Europe. Istanbul has shaped European culture and has been shaped by it." said Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the country's Prime Minister.

This article is taken from http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Main_Page

Ofiicial website for more details, http://www.en.istanbul2010.org/index.htm