Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Baku 2015 Flame reached Saatli and Sabirabad on May 6.

Torchbearers were welcomed by thousands of local residents in Heydar Aliyev Avenue in Saatli. At the European Games gate the flame was handed to a pupil of the Saatli region - Ahmadbayli village secondary school, footballer Mirgiyas Giyasov.

Ten torchbearers then started their 2.9 kilometers long route and carried the flame into Heydar Aliyev Square to the sound of wild applause. Teacher of Alibayli village secondary school, Vugar Namazov lit the flame of the European Games.

The event featured a documentary highlighting the ceremony of the lighting of the Flame of Baku-2015 first European Games in the Ateshgah temple which took place on April 26.

Azerbaijani freestyle wrestling champion ,Namaz Jafarov lit a special commemorative lamp which will remain lit and on display in Saatli until the closing ceremony of the Games on June 28.

The flame then continued on its journey to its next destination, Sabirabad, where it was welcomed by locals.

At the symbolic gate of the first European Games the torch was received by President of Pankration Federation and professional athlete, Azad Askerov.

Passing each other the torch across a distance of 3.9 kilometers, the athletes brought the flame of the first European Games to the Heydar Aliyev Square. Here, pekhlivan Amid Babayev lit the torch of the first European Games.

A symbolic lamp of the Games will be lit there as well until the end of the competition.

The welcoming ceremony was followed with a grand festival of fire. Performances of regional musical groups as well as popular masters of art were met with thunderous applause.

A fire show made a great impression on the festival participants.

One of the participants, teacher of secondary school Abulfat Mammadov said Sabirabad residents have greeted the torch relay enthusiastically.

“I think that what happened today will forever remain in the memory of our students as a historical event. You should have seen the joy on their faces,” he stressed.

He also wished Azerbaijani athletes success at the competition. “I am sure that Azerbaijani sportsmen will make themselves proud at these competitions.”

Baku 2015 European Games will gather over 6,000 athletes from 50 countries to compete in 20 sports, including 16 Olympic.

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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