Today, Sunday April 26, the
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev captured the official
flame of the Baku 2015 European Games during a special ceremony that took place
in the ancient and sacred temple of Ateshgah, Baku.
Also present at the event commemorating the
start of the flame’s journey across Baku – The Journey of the Flame - was First
Lady and Chair of Baku European Games Organising Committee Merhiban Alieyva and
President of the European Olympic Committees Patrick Hickey, along with 150
distinguished guests.
Ateshgah, one of Azerbaijan’s most
remarkable landmarks, stands on a site renowned for its naturally occuring
flames, sacred to Zoroastrian fire worshippers for centuries. In a throw back
to Ancient Greece where the Olympic Flame was kindled from the rays of the sun,
Azerbaijan, ‘the land of Fire’ captured the flame for the first European Games
from the earth.
President
Aliyev began proceedings with a welcome address during which he said: "Our nation has truly harnessed the power of sport to effect positive
change. Our capital city has been transformed through the many improvements in
infrastructure in place for Baku 2015, ensuring a lasting legacy for the first
European Games, and an innovative blueprint to pass on to the next host city.
President
Hickey who praised Azerbaijan and all of its preparations to date said: "The Olympic values of
excellence, friendship and respect are perfectly expressed through the Torch
Relay. By passing the flame from one to another in a collaborative gesture,
torchbearers spread a message of peace, friendship and celebration through
sport.
Baku 2015 will come to life through the dedication and effort of your
entire country. It has been an absolute pleasure working with the Azerbaijani
leadership. Your professionalism and focus has never failed to impress us.”
Guests were treated to a display of
national dancing and musical performances as part of the celebration of the
Journey of the Flame before the President, First Lady and President Hickey entered
the ancient temple to capture the flame.
At this point the gates of the ancient
temple closed behind the First Couple and guests were able to view the
historical moment on big screens outside the walls. An impressive pyrotechnic
display errupted the moment the flame was captured and they returned back
trough the gates.
President Aliyev was then joined by Olympic
handball Champion Rafiga Shabanova who became the European Games first torchbearer
as the President passed the torch to her and she began the Journey of the
Flame.
In a
celebration of Azerbaijan’s extraordinary landscape, culture and heritage, the
flame will travel the length and breadth of the country, spreading the spirit
of the Games and warming the hearts of people in 60 locations.
The torch will come within an hour’s
travelling time of 99% of the Azerbaijan population and thousands of people are
expected to join in the daily celebrations along the route.
Commemorative Baku 2015 Lamps will be left
at each of the venues visited, remaining lit for the duration of the Games.
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