Azernews.Az

BAKU – Construction of an up-to-date sports and concert complex at the National Flag Square in the Baku seaside park, one of the three venue options of next year's Eurovision song contest, has begun, according to Eurovisionaz.com website.

The facility to host major cultural events will hold around 25,000 spectators, according to Germany’s Alpine company, which has recently received a contract for the multi-purpose hall in the Azerbaijani capital.

Alpine Bau Deutschland AG, a 100 percent subsidiary company of Alpine Bau Group, is responsible for the planning and construction of the Baku Crystal Hall.

Nussli AG company, one of the partners of the project, was responsible for construction of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 facilities.

Under the contract, Alpine is to complete the construction of the facility over eight months, it was reported earlier.

Alpine, a company with operations worldwide, has extensive experience in the construction of modern sports venues, including three football stadiums for Euro 2012 in Poland.

Azerbaijani duo Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal (Ell/Nikki) with their pop-ballad "Running Scared" won the Eurovision contest this year in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The final of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to take place on May 26, following two semifinals on May 22 and 24. Some 40 countries are expected to participate.