Istanbul unveils European Capital of Culture 2010 plans

The projects, ranging from street art to music festivals, are dedicated to the ancient philosophy of Aristotle who said everything is made up of the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water.

"This is how we interpret Istanbul. We believe that the culture that has permeated Istanbul for many centuries, allowing a Greek man to work with an Armenian artisan, a Turkish businessman and a Jewish trader, is a good example for the world today," said Nuri Colakoglu, president of the Istanbul-2010 committee.

International architects Renzo Piano and Norman Foster are involved in a project to transform the working-class district of Yenikapi.

Around it lies a new archeological park, which showcases items uncovered from the ancient Byzantine harbor of Eleutherios, including the body of a third-century emperor and about 30 ships.

A number of modern art exhibitions comprising plastic objects will also be displayed, and organizers have invited prominent artists to work alongside their younger counterparts in the run up to 2010.

Istanbul was awarded European Capital of Culture status for 2010 in 2006 by the European Union, along with the German town of Essen and the Hungarian city of Pecs.