Today, culture is a part of the daily life in Istanbul. Even the people at the “average” cultural level cannot be out of the cultural activities. We can watch the movies that are in vision at the same time with America and Europe, while enjoying the technologies such as the “Dolby Full-Stereo” in comfortable seats at the multi-salon cinemas. Art galleries with great ambition, bookstores and art-cafes have become common places in Istanbul.
The names of the western cities such as Paris Rome, London, New York could create the association of a “Pantheon” even in an intellectual’s mind some 20-25 years ago. In other words, we used to consider these cities as “culture-art temples.” “Why cannot Istanbul be such a city?” we used to lament, Istanbul has shown such a dynamic during the past years that, it even left some of those “Pantheons” behind in terms of universal artistic activities, Istanbul has literally accustomed to famous western artists, whose visit would be considered as a miracle some 20-25 years ago. The biggest “stars” of the world are coming to international cinema, classical music and jazz festivals.
The interest to their concerts and recitals are of course very much. The tickets are sold out immediately. However, except from this interest that has completely “artistic and aesthetic” qualities, these “famous guests” are not in the focus of the public opinion. Their visits do not create “sensations” but considered to be “normal.” Only the “culture-art section” of the printed and visual media is interested in them with an academic point of view. They just give their concerts and go.
The preferred city
Istanbul is “a preffered city” in terms of international art activities. This is because the art-lovers of Istanbul are respectful to the art and the artist.
The famous performance artists feel themselves very comfortable in Istanbul concerts. Because the audience is very well aware of “the rituel of watching an artistic performance.” The artist knows that he or she will not come across with a impudent or disrespectful behaviours. It is the same for I he international picture galleries, biennials and visual activities. Neither the spectator nor the critic leave their “respectful atlitude against the artist.” Hence the myths of traditional pop-rock genres, giants of jazz, contemporary legends of classical western music are always in Istanbul, on the stage.
To sum up; Istanbul is a city that can add compassion next to its giant size in terms of living area and population, and sailing to assimilate the universal culture while “welcoming” it with utmost hospitality: a “world city”… In this case, it deserves to be called “universal culture capital”
