In Turkey tournaments are held with the cooperation of Creative Children’s  Association, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University  and Smartkids Learning Center.

Koc Holding is the main sponsor and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality as the contributor.

FLL will be in İstanbul between April 21st and 25th 2010…

Schedule for the FLL

Wednesday – April 21st, 2010
Team arrivals
Thursday -  April 22nd, 2010
Pit area opens, check-ins
Opening ceremony – FLL 2010
Robot performances start
Judging sessions
Official FLL 2010 OC dinner
Friday – April 23rd, 2010
Children’s Festival Parade
Judging sessions
Children’s day party
Saturday – April 24th, 2010
Robot performances continue
Judging sessions
Closing ceremony
Some teams depart
Sunday April 25th, 2010
Teams depart

For other details you can visit here http://www.smartmoveistanbul.org

The details will announced in March in the website of  Olympic Committee.

Included on the calendar of the International Cycling Union (UCI), the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey has been upgraded to 2.HC in 2010 and is now one of the 17 prestigious stage races in the same category.

Stages for The Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey;

The Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey

Stage 1 – Istanbul – Istanbul 11 April 2010, 10 km

Stage 2 – Kusadasi – Bodrum 12 April 2010, 181 km

Stage 3 – Bodrum – Marmaris 13 April 2010, 170 km

Stage 4 – Marmaris – Pamukkale 14 April 2010, 209 km

Stage 5 – Pamukkale – Fethiye 15 April 2010, 207 km

Stage 6 – Fethiye – Finike 16 April 2010, 194 km

Stage 7 – Finike – Antalya 17 April 2010, 114 km

Stage 8 – Antalya – Alanya
18 April 2010, 166 km

Other details are in official site of  Presidential Cycling Tour
http://www.tourofturkey.org

You can see old photos from photo galleries

Roseli gives 10 things to do in Istanbul as follows;

1. Turkish Baths
2. Hookah
3. Shopping
4. Boat Trips
5. The Blue Mosque
6. Nightlife
7. Hagia Sophia Museum
8. Food
9. Istanbul Modern
10. Princes Island

You can read these details from the hostelbookers blog site: http://blog.hostelbookers.com/travel/istanbul-attractions-2010/

Maybe you can interest other articles from hostelbookers.com
1- Istanbul hostels in demand as Turkey is named one of Europe’s ‘cheapest options for a bargain break’

2 – why Istanbul is the capital of culture and the things to visit
Thanks hostelbookers to give such a support for the İstanbul, European Capital of Culture

The opening ceremony was joined by Şenes Erzik the Honoroary President of urkish Football Federation, Mehmet Özgener the President of Turkish Football Federation, Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Kadir Topbaş and Şekib Avdagiç the Chairman of Executive Board of ıstanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency.

Visitors are invited to plunge into the emotions of the game, inspired by a selection of prestigious artifacts, trophies and memorabilia, covering in particular the last 50 years of European football, including the Prime Minister Cup of 1958 which has a very precious memory and an interesting story for Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray.

Aiming to provoke visitors into considering the social and cultural impact of football in the past 50 years, the exhibition will run from 21 January until the end of April at the Taksim Republican Art Gallery in Istanbul.

For more you can visit here : http://www.en.istanbul2010.org

Within this context last parts of the 180 ton-scaffold which had been inside the museum for 17 years were dismantled with a press conference hosted by Şekib Avdagiç the Chairman of Executive Board of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency with the participation of Haluk Dursun the President of Hagia Sophia Museum.

An important discovery during the restoration, the Seraphim figure had taken the museum up to the agenda to reveal once again the deep history of the museum. While making the opening remarks of the press conference, Şekib Avdagiç the Chairman of Executive Board of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency articulated that the angel figure with six wings (Seraphim) on the northeast dome of the museum –estimated to be 700 years old- could be seen after 160 years without the scaffold hindrance. Avdagiç went on to say “This unique building which is also the focus of the world and visited by 2-2and a half million foreign tourists every year, is going to keep on inspiring both Istanbul residents and visitors with its new face. From today on a new time is set for Hagia Sophia: it is the time to rediscover. As Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency, we are excited and happy to contribute to this historical and important event”.

Source : http://www.en.istanbul2010.org

Celebrations held in 7 different centres of the city.
Haliç – 20:10 – Firework and Lighting Shows
Taksim – 19:00 – Fire Shows – 20:25 Tarkan Concert
Kadıköy- 19:00 – Big Baloons Shows – 20:25 Mor ve Ötesi Concert
Sultanahmet – 19:00 – Janissary Band (Mehter) – 20:25 Mercan Dede Concert
Beylikdüzü – 19:00 – Shaman Dance Show – 20:25 Nil Karaibrahimgil Concert
Pendik – 20:25 Kıraç Concert
Bağcılar – 20:25 Zara Concert

Everything was good but there were delay in Haliç ceremony and people have to wait under the rain for the fireworks. They announced the ceremony start in 20:10 but it started 21:20.

Anyway İstanbul get the title 2010 European Capital of Culture officially and hope It will be a good year for İstanbul and Turkey.

Activities for the 16 January 2010

Haliç – 20:10 – Firework and Lighting Shows
Taksim – 19:00 – Fire Shows – 20:25 Tarkan Concert
Kadıköy- 19:00 – Big Baloons Shows – 20:25 Mor ve Ötesi Concert
Sultanahmet – 19:00 – Janissary Band (Mehter) – 20:25 Mercan Dede Concert
Beylikdüzü – 19:00 – Shaman Dance Show – 20:25 Nil Karaibrahimgil Concert
Pendik – 20:25 Kıraç Concert
Bağcılar – 20:25 Zara Concert

The central dome is 43 m in height and is 33.4 m in diameter. 260 windows surround the mosque. Due to its beautiful blue, green and white tilings it has been named the “Blue Mosque” by Europeans. The inscriptions were made by Seyyid Kasım Gubari.

Photo by Niyazi Uğur Genca

One of the most notable features of the Blue Mosque is visible from far away: its six minarets. This is very unique, as most mosques have four, two or just one minaret. According to one account, the Sultan directed his architect to make gold (altin) minarets, which was misunderstood as six (alti) minarets.

Whatever the origins of the unique feature, the six minarets caused quite a scandal, as the Haram Mosque in Mecca (the holiest in the world) also had six minarets. In the end, the problem was solved by adding a seventh minaret to Mecca’s mosque.

The other striking feature of the exterior is the beautifully-arranged cascade of domes that seem to spill down from the great central dome. The arcades running beneath each dome add further visual rhythm. None of the exterior is blue – the name “Blue Mosque” comes from the blue tiles inside.

Photo by Niyazi Uğur Genca

The main, west entrance is beautifully decorated and very much worth a look. However, to preserve the mosque’s sanctity, non-worshippers are required to use the north entrance, off the Hippodrome. Hanging from this gate are symbolic chains that encourage everyone, even the sultan on horseback, to bow his or her head upon entering.

The interior’s high ceiling is lined with about 20,000 blue tiles that give the mosque its popular name. Fine examples of 16th-century Iznik design, the tiles feature flowers, trees and abstract patterns. The overall effect is one of the most beautiful sights in Istanbul.

On summer evenings at 9pm, there is a historical narrative and a light show at the Blue Mosque.

Eric Clapton’s solo career has seen him become, arguably, the UK’s most influential and commercially successful guitarist after his formative years as a member of classic groups The Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream and Blind Faith.

His touring band always includes some of the most highly respected and sought after musicians in the world. His hit singles include original songs such as Tears in Heaven (for which he won six Grammies), Wonderful Tonight and Layla together with classic versions of tracks such as, I Shot the Sheriff, Knockin on Heaven’s Door and Cocaine.