The New Year is well underway and with it comes the EU’s official European Capital of Culture crown.
For 2010, three cities have been chosen. One of the trio is Essen in Germany and the Ruhr region. An area synonymous with declining heavy industry and coal. The region has decided to make the most of its industrial past with many factories, furnaces and canals being turned into museums and venues.

Another Capital on the lucky list is Pecs in Hungary. Like the Ruhr in Germany, it has been hit hard by a demise in its industry. But, the self-styled ‘city without borders’ aims to highlight its historic architecture and past heavily influenced from both the East and West.

Probably, the best known and most visited of the three capitals is Istanbul. With one foot in Europe and another in Asia the Turkish city has lined up an array of special events and concerts throughout 2010.

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