Hurriyet, Turkey
Dec 20 2009
New Year’s message from the Minister of Culture ErtuÄ?rul Günay
Saturday, December 19, 2009
VERCÄ°HAN ZÄ°FLÄ°OÄ?LU
ISTANBUL ` Hürriyet Daily News
Culture Minister ErtuÄ?rul Günay underlines that 2010 will be a very
special year for Istanbul as it proudly becomes European Capital of
Culture
Culture Minister ErtuÄ?rul Günay
Istanbul has spent many months preparing to be the 2010 European
Capital of Culture for many months, but it also will soon welcome the
Far East with the Japanese Cultural Year in Istanbul.
Talking to the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review, Culture Minister
ErtuÄ?rul Günay highlighted Turkey’s initiatives in domestic and
foreign cultural policy, adding that the Turkish Parliament will also
celebrate the 90th anniversary of its foundation this year. `I hope
that Turkey will enter this special year in a peaceful way.’
In keeping with the Christmas spirit, Günay said the ministry was
ready to take all kinds of responsibility to ensure a peaceful future
for Turkey.
Referring to statements he made to the Daily News in recent months, he
said: `Legal arrangements have been made to open the historic Armenian
Surp Haç Church [also known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross]
on Akdamar Island in Van and Sümela Monastery in Trabzon for prayer
once a year. All believers in these lands will be free to follow their
faiths.’
Culture agency disputes
The Istanbul 2010 agency, which opened last year to conduct the
European Capital of Culture project, is being kept meticulously
independent from the ministry, according to Günay.
`As a ministry, we made a special law for the agency; a coordination
assembly consisting of experts and civil society representatives was
formed and I am just a member of this assembly,’ he said.
Referring to news about impropriety and resignations from the agency,
Günay said: `There were many rumors about the agency ` some people
resigned, unfair speculations were made about the budget, some
projects were not accepted because they were too expensive or
inefficient and as a result, some groups were offended. From time to
time, we encounter such problems but we are not detered.’
Calendar full of events
Two big cultural initiatives will open the 2010 events agenda. The
Japanese Cultural Year will begin in Turkey in the early days of
January.
On Jan. 16, celebrations for the European Capital of Culture will be
held. `We enter the new year with a lively culture and arts calendar,’
said Günay, adding that the ministry would continue to organize
activities in the fields of culture, art and tourism.
`Our aim is to introduce the historical and cultural richness of
Turkey to the whole world,’ he said. `I wish everyone a happy,
peaceful and artful new year.’