Istanbul is undoubtedly an important city as the centre of various civilizations and cultures in the entire history. Its crucial cachets had attracted at least three giant empires (Roman, Byzantium and Ottoman Empires); that was made Istanbul to be the “nest” and “bridge” not only for dominant cultures to prevail, but also provided “shelter” for vulnerable and weak minorities.14 Istanbul made a significant progress after the conquest by the Turks. Constantinople gradually had lost its essence and influence, subsequently took a new thrilling “breath” for re-strengthening as a capital of an Oriental and Muslim culture. Istanbul became a face of the East Muslim culture for the West Christian world: it played a role of linkage between the East and West. Concerning importance of Muslim Culture, Turkish in particular, for the West, Chris Morris analyzes backward situation of the West. Moreover, he sheds light on the East’s contributions to the reduction of gap and states that European Christian space was lagging behind the Muslim East in terms of improvement of technology and civilization up to 16th century. Ottoman conquests urged interaction of Christians and Muslims, herein “Islamic world became Europe’s link with more advanced civilizations to the East. Knowledge of medicine and mathematics, astronomy and the arts, hygiene and new agricultural techniques all flooded in with the invading armies of soldiers, sailors and merchants.”15
However, the challenges coming from the East as well as great requirement for the catalyst evolvement pushed the West towards huge success in the early nineteenth century – Industrialization and improvement of the innovative technology. Istanbul, in its turn, was obliged to attain solid incorporation to integrate the “many European ideas, but did not retransmit in another form, as later in the case of Japan and Tokyo.”16 Nevertheless, Istanbul reflected and endured lasting diputes of the history between the East and the West. In this sense, Pamuk contends that “Istanbul has been a powerful symbol of that confrontation and coexistence.”17

The other very symbol of Istanbul was its “multiculturist” trait, which were preserved along with the Ottoman Empire. The city was inhabited by very diverse groups of people. This was a deliberated policy of the Empire to convert Istanbul to the major hub of diverse cultures. To describe Imperial policy Murat Gül notes:

Istanbul under Ottoman Empire had a diverse population.[…]. Istanbul’s population after the Turkish conquest was only around 50.000, but it increased sharply immediately after the conquest due to the Mehmed II’s primary goal to return his new imperial capital to its glorious past. The Greeks who had left the city before and after the conquest were recalledby an imperial proclamation of aman(mercy) and provided with various incentives such as free housing and temporary exemption from taxation. Other methods employed to repopulate the city included sürgün, the forced relocation of households to Istanbul from every corner of the Empire, which provide very effective. Imperial decrees were issued for the relocation of the Muslim and non-Muslim populations to Istanbul.18

Imperial policy also included and encouraged immigration from different regions. Jews surviving from Christian oppressions (from Spain and Portugal) were highly welcomed in Istanbul. Gül notes that immigration of craftsmen and merchants was particularly prioritized since they regenerated the socio-economic life of Istanbul.19 Hence, obviously turns out that establishment of Istanbul as an important cultural centre was the primary purpose of the Ottoman Empire, reinforcing mechanisms and methods were properly implemented thereof. Nevertheless, the capital of the mighty Empire had lost the classical multicultural image as a consequence of the Empire’s demise. After the decline of the Empire, the newly established Republic (cumhuriyet) launched several reforms under the command of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Ataturk’s policy shifting the capital from Istanbul to Ankara blew down Istanbul’s cultural diversity, i.e. its existence as cultural centre of the world was at stake.20 But estimable modernisation policies conducted by the Republic, tangibly led to the revival of Istanbul. The revival of the national economy as well as Turkey’s new strategy (after 1980’s) concerning openness to foreign investment enabled Istanbul to attract world attention once more, hence increased its population as well. However, McAdams contends that revival of the city has not let it enter the categories of “leading global cities networks” nor it grasped feasible influence in the world culture.21 Çaglar Keyder also claims that despite Istanbul’s increasing endeavours towards global city, it cannot be defined as a global city, but it falls into somewhere between global and local.22
Despite of the doubts concerning Istanbul as a global city, the notion of creative centre is however very characteristic of Istanbul. As a creative centre, Istanbul occupies much closer position to be a global cultural centre.23 Turkey, particularly Istanbul hosts plenty of events such as sport competitions, concerts of world-wide known singers and bands, festivals, fashion shows, exhibitions etc. Istanbul’s appropriate capacity allowed it to be selected as a European Capital of Culture for 2010. The title of European Capital of Culture (ECoC) is a blueprint of the European Union and gives the opportunity for a city to organize presentation of “cultural life and cultural development” throughout a year. The opportunity of ECoC has been expediently taken by numerous cities so far. European Culture Commission’s study on ECoC states that:

[…] City of Culture year to transform their cultural base and, in doing so, the way in which they are viewed internationally. […] the choice of European Capital of Culture served as a catalyst for the cultural development and the transformation of the city. Consequently, the beneficial socio-economic development and impact for the chosen city are now also considered in determining the chosen cities.24

The nomination of Istanbul as a European Capital of Culture is comprehended with the facts that it “maintains a distinguished position among the metropolis of the world with its unique geographical location and a cultural heritage of thousands of years. As one of the most energetic cities in the world Istanbul continually gets to be an attraction center”.25 The realization of the project promises some implications such as breaking stereotypes and negative speculations about Turkey, particularly in European structures such as European Commission, Council of Europe, European Youth Forum etc, hence might have positive impact on rethinking the EU membership talks.26
Istanbul – a city transmitting global culture Modern Istanbul possesses high improvement of contemporary technology, developed cultural economy: TV and media industry, art, movie, music. The development makes a proper room for transformations and adaptation in Turkish art and literature, cinematography and increasing huge number of independent TV channels. There are changes not only in technological advancement, but also the themes and concepts have been also pretty much changed. Movies and TV programmes have started to cover more globally actual issues and norms on human rights, social and minority concerns, migration and so forth. 27

Moreover, Istanbul is a superb destination that is able to satisfy every tourist. Undoubtedly, beautiful culture, architecture containing marvellous mix of oriental and western traits of civilizations, sightseeing, night-clubs, shopping malls, draw attention of millions of foreigners. For instance, the city hosted 7 million visitors in 2009.28 The foremost advantage of Istanbul in geographical location provides best ground for it to create a real international atmosphere. In its turn, Istanbul also plays a crucial role in transmitting global culture. Due to the advantageous location and proximity, Istanbul directly influences its neighbours and surroundings. The indirect circle of influence, however, smoothly proceeds because of innovations of highly developed technology.
Transmitting global culture by Istanbul particularly has got accelerated after the Cold-War. There are several reasons that enabled Istanbul to spread its influence as global culture transmitter. The first and foremost reason is that Istanbul, Turkey was not a welcomed actor for the Soviets; thus was kept at bay during the Cold-War due to uneasy competition between the rival camps. However, the termination of the Soviet Union, and end of the Cold-War, paved a relevant track for Istanbul to get access to the post-soviet space, especially the Caucasus and Central Asia. Moreover, there was a necessary “demand” for those countries to receive rapidly increasing and spreading global trends. Because, the countries living under the leadership of communist regime for seventeen years were lagging behind the Europe, and thus they were eager to integrate to the West. Turkey was considered a proper “door” particularly for Caucasian and post-Soviet stated of Asia to tap to developed West as well as open own doors to the West through Turkey. As Turkey skilfully captured the right opportunities with penetrating to these countries through investing capital. For instance, one of the two major recipients of Turkey’s foreign direct investment(FDI), for 2007, is Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan also takes part on the list.29 As of Georgia, Turkey is not the leading, but the third important investor after Britain and the US. Turkish FDI in Georgia, in 2004, reached $30 million -23% of total foreign investment in Georgia.30 Moreover, Turkish construction companies work “with the most significant concentration of cumulative value”31 in Ukraine and Russia.

After Turkey’s assistance, South Caucasian, Central Asian, Balkans, other post-Soviet countries (namely Ukraine and Russia) have started to import Istanbul’s cultural goods and services. Turkish businessmen, expertises and know-how helped the instalment of the standards of global cultures. Istanbul does not have strong rivals and thus its missions in transmitting global culture to these realms successfully achieved. Emerge of new brands such as McDonalds, Ramada Hotels, IKEA etc., organization of world fashion shows, sport and art contests, practice of globally certified financial and business activities, development of digital environment, internet and thereof access to global networks, have been essential contributions of Istanbul as a cultural transmitter. Nevertheless, Istanbul’s attempt and function transmitting global culture is marginal. Its influence, indeed, can be feasibly noticed in abovementioned areas but not in broader global scales. Istanbul properly accumulates and holds global culture as an active receiver, but it lacks in transmitting it globally.