#Baku2015 announces Journey of the Flame route and reveals torch design

Baku 2015 Torch

Baku 2015 European Games today announced the route of the Journey of the Flame, which will start with a ceremony at Ateshgah on 26 April, and revealed the design of the Baku 2015 Torch and Lamp.

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 all 60 regions.

Azerbaijan is known as the Land of Fire, so it is fitting that Baku 2015 will capture the European Games Flame from the ground at Ateshgah, an ancient and sacred temple on the outskirts of Baku, this Sunday 26 April. The flame will then travel nearly 5,500 km before the cauldron is lit at the Opening Ceremony on 12 June – 47 days later.

The torch will come within an hour’s travelling time of 99% of the Azerbaijani population, and thousands of people are expected to join in the daily celebrations along the route.

Mr Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports and Chief Executive Officer of Baku 2015, said: “The European Games mark a historic moment for European sport, and for Azerbaijan it will be a milestone in the country’s progress as an independent, forward-looking member of the European family. This extraordinary journey will showcase the best of Azerbaijan – taking in historical, natural, sporting and cultural highlights in the 60 regions.”

Ms Catherine Ugwu, Baku 2015 Director of Ceremonies, said: “The Journey of the Flame will build momentum and excitement in the lead to the first-ever European Games. It will help set the tone for what’s to come.”

There will be more than 1,000 torchbearers in total. The torch will be transported over ground by bus, funicular railway, bicycle; underground on the Baku metro; on water by boat; and in the air by plane.

The torch – a symbol of Azerbaijan’s culture

The Baku 2015 Torch and Lamp were art directed by Yarat and designed by Sebastian Bergne. They are beautifully designed, engineered and crafted, using materials and techniques inspired by traditional Azerbaijani metalwork.

The torch stands 660mm high and its body depicts a pomegranate tree, echoing the Baku 2015 brand. The copper head that protects the flame is also in the form of a pomegranate – its 50 pips representing the number of nations participating in the Games.

At each location, the flame will be transferred to an oil-fired lamp, based on an iconic Azeri design incorporating the pomegranate tree motif from the torch and Games identity.

You will be able to follow the Journey of the Flame on the dedicated social website that will be launched on 26 April at Baku2015.com

For more details about Baku 2015, please visit: www.baku2015.com or contact Alex Corp on +44 7833 050 850 or at [email protected]

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Baku 2015 is the first ever European Games, an exciting and innovative multi-sport event for the continent which will take place from 12 – 28 June 2015.

There will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe will be representing their nations over 17 days of competition.

Twelve of the sports will offer qualification opportunities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Those sports include Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Cycling, Judo, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Triathlon, Volleyball and Wrestling.

Tickets for Baku 2015 can be purchased directly from the booths, or bought online at www.baku2015.com/tickets. Online purchase confirmation receipts can then be exchanged at any of the city ticket outlets at the following locations: Park Bulvar, 28 Mall, Metro Park, the Heydar Aliyev Palace on Bulbul Avenue, Azerbaijan Cinema on A. Alizadeh Street, Nizami Street at the corner with Bulbul Avenue, Freedom Square, and ASAN Service Yasamal on Abbas Mirza Sharifzadeh Street, as well as at the Neftchilar, Ehmedli and Fountain Square McDonald’s restaurants.

Baku was awarded the Games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012. The Baku European Games Operations Committee (BEGOC) will organise and run the Games in cooperation with the EOC.