As it enters a new millennium humankind is undergoing a process of radical change. We are all witnesses to this transformation as humankind sets out the markers for a new civilization. In the northern hemisphere the industrial age is almost over. Knowledge, and thus humankind, is embarking on a new era in history. It seems that the new millennium will be more ethical.

The effective use of high technology and human skills is now a prerequisite for successful management. Kültür A.Ş.'s management philosophy is based on these two fundamentals. Our company aims to make maximum use of knowledge, high technology and human skills. The company's communications infrastructure is based on an ISDN switchboard, the most advanced communications system in the world. Our working processes are integrated through extensive use of the Internet and other data transfer systems. Information technologies are adopted on the basis of a functionalist and production oriented approach rather than just applying what is technologically fashionableLax management is our countrys main problem. Yet modern management means total quality awareness. Last year our corporate agenda was dominated by restructuring and total quality awareness. Within this conceptual framework, positions and tasks were redefined and the corresponding regulations and directives rewritten in accordance with a Corporate Organizational Chart.

Kültür A. Ş. successfully organized cultural and artistic activities throughout 1999, mostly on behalf of the Metropolitan Municipality of Istanbul's Department of Cultural Affairs. The 21st Century Conferences made a considerable contribution to intellectual life. A conference entitled Istanbul and the Earthquake was also organized. Select artistic exhibitions were held at our cultural venues.

The Bosphorus Festival, the Mystic Music Festival, the Youth Festival are among our important activities. Even more cultural and artistic activities will be organized on national and international platforms in the coming years. Culture, Arts and Istanbu has been prepared as a promotional book in which you can learn about our company and the events we organize. I would like to add that the book also aims to be informative. Our concept of ?open management? means that we attribute great importance to sharing information. Given that all the shares in our company are owned by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and its subsidiaries, for us sharing information is not just a principle, it is an obligation.

Kültür A.Ş. organizes activities in the fields of culture and the arts, operates cultural facilities, invests in culture and publishes books, CDs, CD-ROMs and DVDs. Yet, despite being a public sector company, in doing all of the above it strives for total quality awareness, profitability and productivity.I believe that setting such principles as our target which we achieved last year and will achieve this year as well, is as good, splendid and proper an example as the activities we organize and the products we produce.

The museum director Prof. Ilber Ortayli writes in daily Milliyet once a week. Here are some of his articles: Divan-i Humayun, Harem, Enderun.