Baku prepares large cultural programs for upcoming grand sports events
By Amina Nazarli
Preparations have been launched for the upcoming grand sporting events to be held in the capital of Azerbaijan soon.
The nation will host the Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games on May 12-22 and the second successive Formula 1 race on June 23 -25.
The regional departments of culture and tourism have been instructed to contribute to these activities, actively participate in propaganda and familiarization of foreign guests with the cultural, historical sights of the country and tourism opportunities of Azerbaijan.
The first Shopping Festival to be held in Azerbaijan for the first time in April-May, the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in May, and the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan in June
Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfaz Garayev spoke of the cultural activities carried out in the country speaking at an expanded meeting in Ismayilli on the activities of the regional departments of culture and tourism on March 29.
The city will host Shopping Festival twice every year, while the first Festival is scheduled for April 10 -May 10. The Festival is the first experience in the Caucasus and Central Asia.
The Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games is an exciting multi-sport event uniting the Islamic world, which will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan May 12-22. The event will welcome over 5,000 athletes to compete in 20 sports disciplines during the 12 days of competition.
The second successive Formula 1 race to be staged on the streets of Azerbaijan’s capital city is scheduled to take place on the weekend of June 23 -25.
Azerbaijan has already established itself as a key destination for major sport events. Only in 2016, the country hosted 203 national and 52 international competitions, including the World Chess Olympiad, FIG World Challenge Cup in Artistic Gymnastics, the eighth round of the European Grand Prix, 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals and so on.
Talking about events held in the capital during the national holiday -- Novruz Bayram, the minister said more than 60 musical, dance and folklore groups performed at the Novruz Festival in Baku.
Novruz differs from other holidays for its historical roots, essence and culture. Over the millennia, the Novruz holiday, with its ceremonies, customs and traditions, acts of kindness, oral folk tales, games and entertainments, has inspired poets, singers and performers, scientists and thinkers.
“Every day the festival held by the National Bureau of Tourism Promotion welcomed 30,000-35,000, and on some days 50,000-60,000 people.
In connection with March holiday, a large number of tourists came to Azerbaijan mainly from Iran, Russia and Arab countries who spent more than a week in the country.
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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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