Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan's second largest city, Ganja continues to host interesting events within the framework of its title of the European Youth Capital 2016.

The city is preparing to host the European Youth Festival on September 29-October 3, Azertac reported.

Participants in the event will include government officials, as well as Secretary General of the European Youth Forum and heads of Europe's leading youth organizations.

Ganja was announced the European Youth Capital 2016 on November 21.

The honorable title is awarded to a European city for the period of one year, during which it is given the chance to showcase its youth-related cultural, social, political and economic life and development through a multi-faceted program.

The Azerbaijani ancient city, Ganja became the first city from the non-EU state and the only one in the Caucasian region to win the bid at the contest.

It won over rival bids from Lithuania, Bulgaria, Ireland, and Spain. Ganja`s winning bid was preceded by Rotterdam, Turin, Antwerp, Braga, Maribor, Thessaloniki and Cluj-Napoca.

Ganja, locating some 375 km away from Baku, is famous for the mountain Kepez and the 7 lakes around it, and particularly Goy-Gol. The place is ideal for canoeing, swimming, walking, excursions and family picnics.

The city is the motherland of great poets such as Mesheti Khanum Ganjavi and Nizami; in one word-Ganja is the centre of the country's literature scene and production.

After Azerbaijan gained its independence, Ganja kept and further developed some of relations it had during the Soviet period and in the same time started to establish new regional cooperation.

Its geographical location and diversified industry have positioned Ganja as a hub in the region. The regional cooperation is focused on economical relations mainly, but cultural and social relations are also being developed.

Ganja, was once a city that aroused the curiosity of travelers as a place where Eastern and Western civilization met. Today, the contemporary western way of life co-exists in harmony with the more traditional way of life. Modern buildings and art forms appear side by side to cultural heritage sites. Ganja is the second largest city of Azerbaijan and the second most active trade, import and export, industrial, entertainment and educational center of the country.

The climate in Ganja is continental and the city life goes together in harmony with a beautiful countryside.

---

Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz