Baku 2015 appoints artistic director for opening ceremony

By Nigar Orujova

Dimitris Papaioannou has been appointed as the artistic director of the opening ceremony of Baku 2015 European Games.

Moreover, the production company, FiveCurrents, led by Scott Givens and Mark Poncher, has been appointed as the producer of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Baku 2015.

Baku European Games 2015, an exciting and innovative new multi-sport event of the continent, will take place in June 12-28, 2015.

Papaioannou is a renowned artist, choreographer, performer and visionary who is highly regarded for his spectacular works as artistic director of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games ceremonies.

The Baku 2015 Opening Ceremony will celebrate Azerbaijani culture and will reflect the host city's role in modern Europe. It will also honore the athletes that will be competing.

Papaioannou received the Golden Cross of the Order of Honor from the President of Greece for outstanding artistic achievements following his works at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Since then, he has created several groundbreaking shows that have been performed all over the world to a combined audience of hundreds of thousands.

"My appointment as the official in charge to create the Baku 2015 Opening Ceremony is both an honor and a challenge," he said. "My aim is to tell a universal human story using elemental Azerbaijani ingredients in a way that is contemporary, inventive and playful, but always respectful of the culture's enormous richness and depth."

FiveCurrents company organized the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games Ceremonies and other credits include the Rio 2007 and Guadalajara 2011 Pan American Games' Ceremonies, the 15^thAnniversary of Cinco de Mayo and the Reveillon Copacabana New Year's Celebration for Rio de Janeiro.

President and Executive Producer of FiveCurrents Givens said: "We are thrilled and honoured to be producing the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Baku 2015 European Games. We look forward to working with preeminent creative talents like Dimitris Papaioannou to showcase Baku on the world stage and deliver a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of sport and humanity."

Baku 2015 Chief Executive Officer and Azerbaijan's Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov said: "The Opening and Closing Ceremonies of Baku 2015 European Games are an opportunity to show Baku and Azerbaijan to the world. I am confident that our team will help deliver spectacular events that all of Azerbaijan will be proud of."

Volunteer recruitment for Ceremonies starts

Baku 2015' opening and closing ceremonies will include programs held by 6,000 volunteer performers.

Auditions will begin in November and the Baku 2015 ceremonies team will recruit people who have passion, enthusiasm, energy and a desire to represent their country to the world.

Baku 2015 Director of Ceremonies Catherine Ugwu said: "We are delighted to welcome Dimitris and Five Currents to the team in Baku. Dimitris's artistic vision, combined with FiveCurrents' production experience, will ensure an Opening Ceremony that is unique and remarkable.

"The 6,000 volunteer performers will enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience of appearing in the largest live shows that Azerbaijan has ever produced," Ugwu said.

The opening ceremony will be held in the newly-built National Stadium on June 12, in front of a capacity crowd of 68,000 people and millions of worldwide television audience.

For more details on how to apply as a ceremonies volunteer performer, who must be at least 18 yeas old: http://www.baku2015.com/en/join-us/apply-now