Istanbul - diversity is the key to European culture

Museums, theaters, concert halls, but also streets, parks and stadiums responded with a wide variety of projects.

"Istanbul is the cradle of three civilizations and its cultural, geographical and geostrategic location confirms that it is truly a world pearl. At the beginning of the 21st century, it faced the challenge of being called the European Capital of Culture. This challenge is like changing clothes and making a dress that will fit the beautiful figure of the city and it needs the greatest craftsmen.” These are the words with which the director of the Istanbul Tourist Office invited the whole world to participate this year. The world responded and sent the best artists to one of the largest European cities, who create and exhibit in the city in accordance with the red thread of the cultural year, which is represented by the four elements: air, water, fire and earth.

Past and present on display
The Turks are offended if their country is placed in the Middle East, because they always emphasize that they are one of the candidate countries for joining the European Union, that their musicians successfully perform at the Eurovision Song Contest, because part of the country lies on the Balkan Peninsula, the most historically important parts and their beautiful coasts are an integral part of the Mediterranean. The important role of Byzantium, Constantinople, Constantinople or Istanbul, whatever we call this magical city, is marked not only by its location on two continents, but also by the power of its history, which can be better understood in the Sakip Sabancı Museum. Between June 5 and September 4, the exhibition Legendary Istanbul: From Byzantium to Istanbul - 8000 years of the capital will be on display in the museum. The exhibition sheds light on the glorious history of the city, which was the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, and displays more than five hundred objects from different centuries and social circles. The Sadberk Hanim Museum, where luxurious Ottoman fashion is on display until November 7, has made sure that the historical aspect will not become boring. The exhibition in one of the Ottoman palaces is accompanied by the memories of a governess between 1915 and 1922, who described one of the receptions attended by fashion-conscious Ottoman women with the words: "Long dresses made of silk..., the sound of fluttering silk with every movement..., it seemed it's like living in a fairy tale." Contemporary artistic expression is best represented in the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art. It was opened in 2004 and in a very short time it has become the leading center of contemporary art in Istanbul and Turkey. Located in a former warehouse in the Tophane area on the Bosphorus coast, it houses an extensive collection of modern Turkish art, a rich library and, of course, a cozy restaurant. Until June 20, in addition to the permanent collection, the From Traditional to Contemporary exhibition is on display, which focuses on the relationship between art and tradition and shows how artists use history in the construction of the modern.

Festivals that bring people together
Museums and galleries are not the only evidence that the city lives for culture. The various festivals that will take place in the city this summer will bring together people from all over the world and thus spread understanding and tolerance towards other cultures and their artistic expression. One of the more interesting ones will take place between June 5 and 13 in the Polish district of Polonezkoy under the name Polonezkoyu cherry festival, and its purpose is to present the Polish culture that flourishes in the city of 17 million people through folklore, concerts and recitals. At the end of June, we will be able to enjoy the Sonisphere rock and metal music festival. At the Ynonu stadium, we will be able to listen to the all-powerful bands: Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax and Iron Maiden. At the beginning of July, the city will host the International Jazz Festival, and between July 14 and 19 we will be entertained by representatives of various cultures who will present themselves as part of the Eurasian Cultural Festival. Of course, we could list endless cultural delicacies in Istanbul, but we must not neglect the most important sports 'festival' of this year in Istanbul, the World Basketball Championship. Turkey will host 24 of the best basketball teams from around the world, and we will of course be keeping our fingers crossed for the Slovenian national team between August 28 and September 12.

Time to party
Part of the cultural experience of the city is without a doubt getting to know the nightlife. Even the poster inviting you to one of the themed evenings in the Asmalimescit area clearly expresses the hedonistic side of the area full of bars and clubs: "If you've ever been to a wilder party, you're under arrest!" A few alleys, around the main streets of Asmalimescit, Sofyali and Sehbender, make up the most cheerful part of the Beyoglu area, which is famous for its nightlife. The history of this district is similar to other trendy areas around the world. It was a Genoese colony. Greeks, Armenians, French and Jews lived in it and represented the liberal antipole of Sultanahmed, the area where the political figures lived. In the 20th century, many residents moved out, rural immigrants and lower classes of the population settled in, which of course attracted those looking for new trends a decade ago and a new social center of the city developed. We can start the night at the bohemian brasserie Simdi or with dinner at Flammo, an obvious 'import' of New York's trendy East Village with huge paintings on the brick walls. The hottest club is Public, where we will be served juicy steaks to R & B music. An elegant place to weave cocktails is Mikla, on the 18th floor of the Marmara Pera Hotel, which offers a beautiful view of the surrounding minarets. Since the night is still young, it is best to go down to the streets and enjoy beer and house rhythms at club Otto, which with its 'Berlin' image cures homesickness for all young people who spent at least a few years with their parents as immigrants in the German capital. After two o'clock in the morning, the party starts in the 11.11 club, full of neon psychedelic and rhythms that do not allow rest. The best way to get rid of a morning hangover is with breakfast at the House Café or head straight for lunch at the 9 Ece Aksoy restaurant, where their spinach souffle will cure us of fatigue and restore our strength for new explorations and cultural experiences.