The Step # First:...

Our research’s title is:

Tallinn is the European Capital of Culture 2011.

(First Stage: 15-23 February).

In our research we will try to analyze the history and the actual meaning of the event by answering a set of questions. Also, the reasons for European Union to provide the opportunity for different European countries to be the "Capitals of Culture” every year. What is coming along with this title and some historical events connected with it. What are the benefits for title holders, Tallinn in particular?

Anastassia Turkina (11B) writes:

I chose the theme because the event is really worth being interested in. Actually, I am interested in all the cultural events in which Estonia and especially Tallinn is involved.

Also, as I study photography, I do my best to follow major cultural events in Tallinn. I do believe I will find lots of information about Tallinn 2011, which will make it easier for me to cover a year later.

And, last but not least, these were my foreign friends that defined my choice. I have got many friends involved in art who would like to visit Tallinn in 2011 and I am going to guide them around. For example, my friends from Lithuania are not going to miss the opportunity to come and compare our cultural program with what Vilnius boasted in 2009 as The European capital of culture of the year. By the way, I witnessed many exciting things that summer. My friends made my trip really fabulous and I really owe them one. This really triggered my start!

Alexander Monahov (11B) writes:

I personally chose this theme:

• Foremost because it is clear what I should do and what I need to achieve during this research.
• Second, I like pretty much everything that intertwines with English language and culture of different nations. :)

So, to begin with, we found the definition of “The European Capital of Culture” in Wikipedia:

The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar year during which it is given a chance to showcase its cultural life and cultural development. A number of European cities have used the City of Culture year to transform their cultural base and, in doing so, the way in which they are viewed internationally. During the first two decades, cities were chosen primarily based on cultural history, scheduled events and the ability to provide infrastructural and financial support. A 2004 study by the European Commission by Robert Palmer demonstrated that 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.

© http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Capital_of_Culture

Also, here they are (the links that will be helpful in my research):

1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Capital_of_Culture - Basic material about all European Capitals of Culture (past/present/future/candidates etc.)

2) http://ec.europa.eu/culture/index_en.htm - European Culture Commission.

3) http://www.tallinn2011.ee/ - Future European Capital of Culture. Tallinn! :)

Something to start...

Why I have chosen this theme!

I have chosen this theme, because I am interested in culture life of my city, the city where I was born and which I like very much – Tallinn!
I am also interested in European life, in every possible action, such as European football championship (I am interested in sports), theatre performances and Eurovision (I have been watching Euronews channel since I was 10!)
Because of all these, I did not have any doubts what theme to choose!


History of European Capital of Culture

The first European Capital of Culture was Athens due to the idea of Greek representative of culture and later Greek minister of culture Melina Mercouri.

The European Capital of Culture is a city or cities which is the centre of European culture of the year. There are a lot of activities like music festivals, theatre and opera performances, sports events. This city gets many monetary grants to raise level of culture in this town: build new opera or theatre buildings; organise festivals and other events. For example, there was build a new “House of Music” in Porto when it was the European Capital of Culture in 2001. I would like to see some new sport stadiums in Tallinn in 2011! Since 2007, there are 2 or more capitals of the year. In 2000 there were 9 capitals (Avignon (France), Bergen (Norway), Bologna (Italy), Brussels (Belgium), Helsinki (Finland), Kraków (Poland), Prague (Czechia), Reykjavík (Iceland), Santiago de Compostela (Spain).

What I wish to learn while doing my research work

I wish to know more about future culture events in Tallinn and why Tallinn wanted to become the European Capital of Culture 2011.

GLOSSARY

monetary - relating to money

grant - an amount of money given to someone, especially by the government, for a particular purpose.

(theatre) performance - A performance of a play in theatre

(sports) event - some matches in sports that are played

Here you can see my map:


Useful links:
www.wikipedia.com

Tallinn is the European Capital of Culture 2011 ( Research work by Anastassia and Anton) - Mindmap

Here you can see my map:

Tallinn is the European Capital of Culture 2011 ( Research work by Anastassia and Anton)

We chose the research work of this name because it is directly related to our city and country. Prior to this, we read an article in one of the local newspapers encouraging Talliners to apply for events that will be held within Tallin 2011 cultural agenda. We got excited about the whole idea and thought “Why not?” And we are glad that our research work will contribute to our first big social experience.

Of we went by making up a set of questions to be answered at the first stage of our research. What does the term “the capital of culture” mean? When was it coined and how did the movement start?

The first source we turned to was the Wikipedia. It defines ”the European capital of culture” as a city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar year during which it is given a chance to showcase its cultural life and cultural development.

As to origins of the movement, we got detailed information from Uneecc.com (University network of the european capitals of culture). First of all, this event was first time presented in 1983 by Melina Mercouri, a Greek actress, singer and politician. She became a member of the Hellenic Parliament in 1977 and the first female Minister for Culture of Greece in 1981. Mercouri believed that at the time, culture must be given the same attention as politics and economics, and she made the whole Europe share her opinion and idea. As it was adopted by the European Council,the aim of this event was to give a chance to showcase cultural life and cultural development of European cities.

Starting from 1985, title-holders of this event has been Athens (Greece), Luxembourg (Luxembourg), Patras (Greece), Lisbon (Portugal), Stockholm (Sweden) and 40 other European cities and towns. And our capital, Tallin is going to be the 45th on the list.

While reading for the research work, we started to compile a glossary of terms. Here are our first entries:

Capital of culture - a city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar year during which it is given a chance to showcase its cultural life and cultural development.

The European Union (EU) - an economic and political union of 27 member states, located primarily in Europe.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) - a specialized agency of the United Nations established on 16 November 1945. Its stated purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science, and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and the human rights.

European Council - the Union's main decision-making body. Its meetings are attended by Member State ministers, and it is thus the institution which represents the Member States. The Council's headquarters are in Brussels, but some of its meetings are held in Luxembourg. Sessions of the Council are convened by the Presidency, which sets the agenda.

That is how the first stage of our research work went.

Links we used to find information:

Page on wikipedia, devoted to this movement

The glossary of the website of Europian Union

University network of the European capitals of culture

First Stage Tasks and Tips

Tallinn is European Capital of Culture 2011: what for do Tallinn and Estonia need it?

Aims
Under this research, you are expected to notice various manifestations of culture and
inter-cultural and socio-economical influences, i.e., observe the role of the European Capital of Culture in multicultural European surroundings, analyse the experience gained so far and investigate Estonian reasons and expectations in socio-political, economical and cultural aspects.

Suggestion
Your research should be focussed on one or several close fields, for example,tourism, art, current political situation, social sphere, music , youth
cultures, subcultures, everyday life, etc. The list of the topics is by no
means exhaustive but serves to guide and trigger your imagination and creativity.

Within the first stage (15-23 February) you are to present the list of your sources and:
- definition of the term "European Capital of Culture"
- background of the event
- background of Estonian application

WELL BEGUN IS HALF DONE!

Tallinn is European Capital of Culture 2011 - useful links

http://www.tallinn2011.ee/?id=90 - basic information about Tallinn 2011

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Capital_of_Culture - notion of European Capital of Culture

http://www.culturelive.lt/en/main/ - Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009(experience)

http://www.essen-fuer-das-ruhrgebiet.ruhr2010.de/en - Essen - European Capital of Culture 2010

http://ec.europa.eu/culture/our-programmes-and-actions/doc413_en.htm - aims and ideas