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Details emerge of first European Games opening ceremony

12 June 2015 16:26 (UTC +04:00)

Dimitris Papaioannou is the artistic director of the opening ceremony. The leadership on ceremonies includes Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Chief Executive Director of the Baku 2015 first European Games Operation Committee Azad Rahimov, Baku 2015 Director of Ceremonies Catherine Ugwu and Executive Producer Scott Givens.

The ceremony will start with a Mugham (folk music) performance by Azerbaijani mugham singer Alim Gasimov. With rhythms from 50 drums, a countdown from 24 to 0 will start off, symbolizing the 24 years of Azerbaijan’s state independence. The stage will be covered with the garments of about 1,000 dancers decorated with ornaments dedicated to famous Azerbaijani carpets. Sounds of sheypur (trumpet) will greet Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s first lady, Chairwoman of the Organizing Committee of the first European Games Mehriban Aliyeva and President of the European Games Committees Patrick Hickey. Azerbaijan’s national flag will be hoisted and national anthem will be played. Then the last flame-bearer will bring the flame, which has already traveled about 5,5000 km, to the stadium. Nizami, enlivened by Ilkin Aslanov, will enter the stage, holding in his hand scales with dolls on both sides. They are Leyli and Majnun, the luckless lovers in one of the jewels of Azerbaijani literature. Leyli will be enlivened by Patricia Zarnovich, Majnun by Marquez Scott.

Then the parade of 6000 athletes from 50 countries will begin. Greek representative will led parade as a sign of respect to the country, which gave birth to the Olympic Games. Teams of other countries, except Azerbaijan, will follow Greece in alphabetical order. The parade will end with the march of the hosting country - Azerbaijan. 8 well-known men and women from different European countries will bring the flag of the European Olympic Committees to the stadium. The flag represents 50 members of the European Olympic Committees gathered in the stadium.

Following speeches by Mehriban Aliyeva and Patrick Hickey, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will officially announce the opening of the Baku 2015 first European Games.

Later on, woman (Nargiz Nasirzade) and man (Aydemir Aydemirov), embodying Novruz that is symbolizing the coming of spring in Azerbaijan, Baku - “city of winds”, Yanardagh and Gobustan hieroglyphs will take the stage. They will call for the unity and understanding of humanity. Finally, 2000 artists participating in the opening ceremony will come to the stage and solemnly close the ceremony. They will perform Azerbaijan’s national dance "Yalli".