Ganja European Youth Capital 2016 project kicks off

/By Azernews/

By Amina Nazarli

The opening ceremony of the "Ganja European Youth Capital" project was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center on May 4.

Azerbaijani President's Aide for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov, heads of central executive bodies, representatives of the European Youth Forum, members of the Network of European Youth Capitals, as well as the representatives of international organizations attended the event.

Youth and Sport Minister Azad Rahimov, addressing the event, underlined significance of choosing Ganja as the youth capital of Europe for the city and youth.

After the event, opening of the House of Youth was held. The four-storey House of Youth, built in the Heydar Aliyev Park in Ganja has been equipped with a conference room, gyms and rooms for various circles. All conditions have been created there for the effective organization of the leisure time of the youth.

May 5 will see the meeting of the Network of the European Youth Capitals. Thy meeting will be addressed by the chief executive of the city of Ganja, the chairman of Public Association "Ganja European Youth Capital -2016", the Secretary General of the Network of the European Youth Capitals, and also representatives of the cities which were in previous years "The European Youth Capitals of Europe".

Afterwards, the Heydar Aliyev Center will see presentation of women programs.

The European Youth Capitals project was launched by the European Youth Forum in 2009. The project aims to develop international cooperation of the local and foreign youth organizations, and also exchange of experience among national youth organizations of the countries whose cities were elected the European Youth Capitals.

The European Youth Capital is a title awarded to a European city for the period of one year, during which it is given the chance to showcase, through a multi-faceted program, its youth-related cultural, social, political and economic life and development.

The initiative encourages cities to both continue and expand the implementation of new ideas and the innovative projects with regard to the active participation of young people in society, and seeks to present a role model for further development of youth policies in other European municipalities.

Locating some 375 km away from Baku, Ganja is differ from its ancient architectural monuments.

The northeastern foot of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains is a picturesque place which has attracted many people across the centuries. This made the history of the region profound and captivating. Ganja is significant to the politico-economic and cultural life of the country since the earliest of times.

The region is famous for its nature, namely Goygol Lake and reserve. A large mountain lake surrounded by the mountains of the Lesser Caucasus was formed at a result of a devastating earthquake that destroyed the mountain Kapaz in the 12th century.