Baku 2015 Flame arrives in capital

/By AzerNews/

By Nigar Orujova

The Baku 2015 Flame has arrived in the capital of Azerbaijan after completing a journey around 60 regions of the country and legendary Oil Rocks.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev took the Flame at “Sadko” port in the Seaside National Park.

President Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and family members arrived at “Sadko” port by an electric car.

City residents, guests of Baku, athletes, volunteers of the European Games greeted the head of state.

Arriving by boat, the Flame was handed to the president by oilman Nahid Nuriyev.

Carrying the torch, the head of state was greeted by those who gathered at the Seaside National Park who chanted: “Long live Azerbaijan”, “Long live President Ilham Aliyev”, “Success to the first European Games”.

The head of state handed the Flame to veteran of the Great Patriotic War Fatma Sattarova, marking the start of the torchbearers’ relay.

The Flame traveled to the White City Boulevard and was then brought to the city center.

Mugham singer Arif Babayev, one of the torchbearers, passed the Flame to Azerbaijan’s First Lady, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of the first European Games Mehriban Aliyeva.

Cheered by the crowd,First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva passed the European Games Torch to winner of Montreux International Jazz Festival, honored artist, laureate of “Zirve” state award, pianist and composer Isfar Sarabski.

Then vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva took her turn.

2014 Youth Olympics wrestling gold medallist, European champion Igbal Hajizade then handed the torch to Arzu Aliyeva.

Wrestling world champion and European championships winner Haji Aliyev passed the Flame to Heydar Aliyev.

The Flame was carried past Flag Square and Crystal Hall, and taken into the Maiden Tower, where it stayed overnight during its time in Baku.

The final torchbearer was vice-president of Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation, Olympic champion Namig Abdullayev.

The Flame completed a 16km relay around the city, carried by 100 torchbearers.

“The Journey of the Flame has fuelled the imagination of the Azerbaijani public over the past six weeks, and it was wonderful to see Baku take part in the celebrations this evening with the same enthusiasm as people across the country,” said Azad Rahimov, Youth and Sport Minister and Chief Executive Officer of Baku 2015.

Four days to go

Thus, Azerbaijan’s long awaited historic event comes to the last week before the grandiose opening night that is expected at the Baku Olympic Stadium.

Baku 2015 European Games is the first Games of the continent. The Games will gather over 6,000 athletes from 50 countries to show their abilities in 20 sports.

A final rehearsal of the opening ceremony was held at the Baku Olympic Stadium on June 6.

The ceremony ended with grandiose fireworks.

Meanwhile, athletes from around Europe are arriving to Baku. BEGOC organized a special day and night staff at the Heydar Aliyev Airport, to welcome guests of the historic event.

The first group of the English, Swedish, Irish, Bulgarian, French, Slovenian and Portuguese delegations arrived in Baku to attend the first European Games. Earlier, German, Irish and Israeli teams housed at the Baku 2015’s Athletes Village.

The Athletes Village includes 13 apartment blocks and an administrative building. Some 7,499 people can be accommodated in the 1,042 apartments here.

The Village will provide athletes and team officials with a residential environment that is secure, comfortable, friendly and stress-free - a "home away from home". The complex will enable residents to focus on the competitions ahead, and to enjoy their Games experience.