Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Opening Ceremony Is Tonight!

The anticipation has been building and finally the opening ceremony of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture is tonight! Various programs which will be realized simultaneously with the celebrations in Golden Horn, will go on in several parts of the city for Istanbul locals and visitors to celebrate Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture.

Istanbul is going to be ‘officially’ 2010 European Capital of Culture with the opening ceremony on January 16th.

The opening ceremony will be held at Haliç Congress Center and subsequent shows and concerts in Taksim, Kadıköy, Pendik, Sultanahmet, Bağcılar and Beylikdüzü squares will be broadcasted live on http://www.istanbul2010.org

I am curious if you will be watching?

Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Opening Events Program

Events at Haliç Congress Center
Time: 17:30
Place: Haliç Congress Center
Program Flow

17:30 Opening Cocktail

18:30 Opening Remarks

19:00 Special 16 January Opening Show directed by Yekta Kara
 “Istanbul Magic”

Invitation of the protocol and other guests to the pier

Pushing the button by Participant protocol members to launch the firework show

20:30 Closing
 
Events in Taksim Square
Time: 19:00
Place: Taksim Square
Announcer: Ziya Kürküt
Program Flow 

19:30 Screening of the Balloon Theatre realized in Kadıköy and DJ performance

20:10 Live Screening of the firework show realized over the Golden Horn

20:30 The Fire Theatre

21:15 Tarkan Concert

22:20 Closing
 
Events in Kadıköy Square
Time: 19:00
Place: Kadıköy Seaside, İspark Parking Lot
Announcer: Volkan Severcan
Program Flow
19:00 Balloon Theatre
20:10 Live Screening of the firework show realized over the Golden Horn
20:20 Mor ve Ötesi Concert
21:20 Closing
 
Events in Pendik Square
Time: 19:00
Place: Pendik Seaside, İspark Parking lot
Announcer: Gülhan Şen
Program Flow
19:00 Screening of the Balloon Theatre realized in Kadıköy
20:10 Live Screening of the firework show realized over the Golden Horn
20:20 Kıraç Concert
21:20 Firework show and closing
 
Events in Sultanahmet Square
Time: 19:00
Place: Front of Hagia Sophia
Announcer: Hande Kazanova
Program Flow

19:00 Mehter Concert
19.45 DJ Performance

20:10 Live Screening of the firework show realized over the Golden Horn

20:20 Mercan Dede Concert

21:20 Firework show and closing
 
Events in Bağcılar Square
Time: 19:00
Place: Bağcılar Square
Announcer: Jess Molho
Program Flow
19:00 Screening of the Balloon Theatre realized in Kadıköy
20:10 Live Screening of the firework show realized over the Golden Horn
20.20 Zara Concer
21:20 Firework show and closing
 
Beylikdüzü Square Events
Time: 19:00
Place: Beylikdüzü Municipality Social Events Arena
Announcer: Asuman Dabak
Program Flow
19:00 Screening of the Balloon Theatre realized in Kadıköy
19:30 Şaman Dance Group’s Show
19.55 DJ Performance
20:10 Live Screening of the firework show realized over the Golden Horn
20.20 Nil Karaibrahimgil Concert
21:20 Firework show and closing