Guba welcomes Baku 2015 torch
By Nigar Orujova
The northern city of Guba has welcomed the official Flame of the Baku 2015 European Games on its way back to the capital city.
Residents of the city will remember the day - June 1 – with its welcoming ceremony and magnificent Festival of Fire.
The public greeted the torch at the symbolic gate of the Games with a festive mood. World wrestling champion, Musa Mirzoyev took the torch.
He then passed it to 14 torchbearers, who passing the torch to one another overcame a distance of 4 km. Honored trainer in kickboxing, Telman Maharramov rose to meet them and then lit the torch. The Flame of the Games was then transferred to the Heydar Aliyev Center where it will be kept until the end of the competition.
Participants of the event watched a video featuring the inaugural lighting ceremony of the torch which was held in Ateshgah Temple near Baku on April 26.
Guba became the 55th settlement to be visited by the Baku 2015 Torch. The city also enjoyed a grand festival of fire. The concert program saw the participation of well-known masters of the arts of the republic and the region. The festival ended with a firework display.
Another torch welcoming ceremony will be held in Khachmaz region on June 3.
The Journey of the Flame is bringing the spirit of Baku Games across Azerbaijan. In some 48 days, the spirit of Baku 2015 is inspiring 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.
Guba is one of Azerbaijan's most picturesque region. There is a unique waterfall in Pirbanovsha, where the water creates graceful natural sculptures. The place is rich with flora and fauna and has good conditions for hunting and fishing.
The region is engaged in agriculture and is perfect place for lover of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially the famous Guba apples.
History enthusiasts will also find places to visit, like settlements from the 12-13th centuries, a temple dating from the 9th century and several buildings of the 19th century.
But the main source of interest in the region remains the Khinalig village located 2,350 meters above the sea. The Khinaluq ethnic group has been living in the Caucasus for thousands of years. They have managed to retain their language, customs and traditions for thousands of years.
Khinalig is one of the most important components of the bright and picturesque image of Guba.
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Nigar Orujova is AzerNews’s staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @o_nigar
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