Baku 2015 torch travels across Old City
By Nigar Orujova
The Baku 2015 Journey of the Flame took an exciting detour on June 9 – all the way down the city's iconic Flame Towers.
Azerbaijani mountaineer Renat Ragimkhanov abseiled down the front of the residential building, carefully carrying the Baku 2015 Flame during the two-minute descent.
The climber said he feels proud being a torchbearer of the first European Games and wished success to the Azerbaijani athletes, who will compete in the competitions.
The Journey of the Flame continued its tour of Baku with a visit to the Old City Icherisheher, also known as the Inner City embraced with ancient walls.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site provided a stunning background as torchbearers carried the flame.
The flame toured a number of historic buildings and was delivered to the ancient Old City, that passed Kichik Gala street, Gosha Gala Gapi, Gulla street, ancient caravansaries, to reach the square in front of the Maiden's Tower. Following, the relay continued along the Asaf Zeynalli street, passed through the Center for Traditional Art Icherisheher, Boyuk Gala Street, through the mosque of Muhammad, as well as the historic streets and alleys of the Old City, to finish in Shirvanshahs Palace Complex.
Throughout the route, residence and guests of the capital city were greeting the torch. Mascots Jeyran and Nar have also brought a festive mood to the event.
Among those taking part in the relay were: Spyros Carpalos, EOC Chairman of the Baku 2015 Coordination Commission; Farid Mansurov, a Wrestling gold medalist at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games; Elnur Mammadli, a Judo gold medalist at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games; and Tunzale Aghayeva, a famous Azerbaijani singer.
The Old City tour of the torch is finalizing the Journey of the Flame that started in the Ateshgah temple on April 26 and visited 60 regions of the country as well as a legendary Oil Rocks in some 48 days.
The Flame will end its journey at the grand Opening Ceremony of the first European Games at Baku Olympic Stadium on June 12.
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Nigar Orujova is AzerNews’s staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @o_nigar
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