A Festival of Fire celebrated the torch reaching Jalilabad ©Baku 2015

The Baku 2015 European Games flame is continuing its journey across Azerbaijan and has now reached Jalilabad one week after it was captured in Ateshgah.

The flame today arrived in the district named after the great Azerbaijani writer Jalil Mammadguluzadeh in 1967, which is some 210 kilometres south of Baku, and is part of the nation’s biggest potato and vine-growing region.

Ismayil Huseynov, a Junior World Boxing Championship silver medallist, was the first of 11 torchbearers to take the flame through the region in a relay covering a four-kilometre route.

Eleven torchbearers took the flame through Jalilabad in a relay covering a four-kilometre route
Eleven torchbearers took the flame through Jalilabad in a relay covering a four-kilometre route ©Baku 2015

The others torchbearers were wrestling coach Jeyhun Agamaliyev, PE teacher Feyruz Guliyev, kung fu coach Agil Mustafayev, agricultural engineer Zaur Tagiyev, social activists Ziya Guliyev, Kamran Asgarzade and Elchin Huseynov, Greco-Roman wrestling coach Anar Istamov, Soviet Union sport master Natiq Rzayev and P&G, a Baku 2015 partner, representative Elynar Huseynov.

“I was very happy when I heard the Journey of the Flame was passing through the regions as it shows the importance of each region to Azerbaijan,” Agamaliyev said.

“Being a torchbearer brought new feelings for me; I am extremely happy.

“I will bring my students to the wrestling events and look forward to cheering on and supporting our wrestlers at Baku 2015.

“I also want my students to experience the atmosphere and thrill of a competitive event.”

Baku 2015 torchbearers Elchin Huseynov and Anar Istamov in Jalilabad
Baku 2015 torchbearers Elchin Huseynov and Anar Istamov in Jalilabad ©Baku 2015

The Journey of the Flame passed the Jalilabad Chess Centre, a new centre developed to promote local participation, and the Heydar Aliyev Square where the Festival of Fire, a spectacular fire show, took place.

A lighting ceremony also took place which saw the flame transferred to a special commemorative lamp that will remain lit and on display in Jalilabad until the Baku 2015 Closing Ceremony on June 28.

The event was attended by thousands of local residents, and the official Baku 2015 mascots, Jeyran and Nar, made a special appearance.

The Journey of the Flame will now travel to Salyan and Neftçala for welcome ceremonies ahead of the European Games, which are scheduled to take place from June 12 to 28.

Further information can be found here. 


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