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Only a Game? kicks off in Istanbul
The National Football Museum again assisted UEFA in celebrating European Capital of Culture when Istanbul became the latest city to host the acclaimed Only a Game? exhibition exploring Europe's relationship with its favourite sport, football.
The opening ceremony at Taksim Cumhuriyet Sanat Galerisi on 21 January 2010 was attended by UEFA first vice-president Senes Erzik, Turkish Football Association (TFF) president Mahmut Ozgener, mayor of Istanbul Kadir Topbas, senior adviser to the UEFA, William Gaillard and Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency chairman Sekib Avdagic.
The interactive exhibition by Olivier Guilbaud originally formed part of the European Community's celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome when it opened in Brussels in 2007. In 2008 the exhibition was a key part of Liverpool European Capital of Culture. The exhibition in Istanbul, continuing until 30 April, has been supported by TFF. The tour is planned to go to Turku in Finland in 2011, the next European Capital of Culture.
The National Football Museum has loaned the exhibition a number of famous items from European football history, including match worn shirts of some of the greatest ever European players, such as Puskas, Di Stefano, Schmeichel and Beckenbauer.
David Pearson, General Manager of the National Football Museum, attended the opening and presented TFF Vice-President, Lutfi Aribogan, with a copy of the Museum's official Hall of Fame book signed by several legends from the English game.
Lutfi Aribogan (left) with David Pearson at the opening in Istanbul.
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