Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

The flame of the Baku 2015 European Games continues its journey around Azerbaijan. This time it arrived in Shirvan and Hajigabul on May 5.

In Shirvan, torchbearers were welcomed by locals residents. Dance teacher at Shirvan City Culture Department, Javid Ziyadi accepted the flame.

Ten torchbearers then started their 3.8 kilometers long route. Deputy director of Shirvan City secondary school No. 12, Aydin Aliyev lit the flame of the European Games. 16-year-old World and European champion Farid Abbasov lit a special commemorative lamp which will remain lit and on display in Shirvan until the closing ceremony of the Games - June 28.

The event featured a footage highlighting a ceremony of the lighting of Baku-2015's flame at Ateshgah temple, where it first originated.

The flame then continued its journey on to the next destination, Hajigabul. At the symbolic gate of the first European Games the torch was received here by high school student, Ali Rustamov.

Ten torchbearers, passing the torch to each other, covered a distance of 3.9 kilometers and took the torch at the central square of the city.

With the applause of the crowd, Karate Kobudo coach Elnur Shafiev raised the torch to the stage and lit the flame of the European Games.

After Hajigabul, the torch will head to the Saatli region.

The innovative sport event in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku will gather 6,000 athletes from 50 countries to compete in 20 sports.

The Journey of the Flame is bringing the spirit of Baku Games across Azerbaijan from April 26. In some 48 days, the spirit of Baku 2015 will inspire 60 regions across Azerbaijan, to finally arrive in the magnificent Baku National Stadium on June 12.

To follow the Journey of Flame please visit: baku2015.com/flame.

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Nigar Orujova is AzerNews’s staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @o_nigar

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