Following its capture ceremony in Ateshgah yesterday where the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev lit the first torchbearer’s flame, it will now embark on 48 days of consecutive travel to 60 locations in Azerbaijan. 

Nakhchivan, a landlocked exclave, is no stranger to sporting events having previously hosted the Chess World Cup in 2003 and currently holds the traditional Nakhchivan Open for masters each year as well as the annual Nakhchivan Cup – an International Wrestling Tournament.

The area may be reknowned as the homeland of the Former President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev but folklore tells us that the tomb of the Prophet Noah can also be found here and that there is evidence his arc visited the region.

The Festival of Fire taking place this evening promises to be a spectacular event with locals taking to the streets to join in the celebrations and cheer the ten torchbearers along their route as they carry the flame on its inaugural journey.

Polad Aliyev will commence running the 4.1km route before handing the flame to Afgan Gurbanov, the second of the torchbearers. Ibrahim Musayev. Kanan Asadov, Sahil Rusanov, Tural Gozalov, Farida Hanifayeva, Sakina Ibrahimova and Gulkhanim Jalilova will all run part of the relay with Khanim Khudadanova finishing up.