Baku European Games Opening Ceremony Part 1

This summer, Baku is hosting the inaugural European Games.  Continental games in the Olympic tradition have already existed with the Pan-American Games, Asian Games, All-Africa Games, and Pacific Games, but until now Europe hasn't had a similar games of their own.  Three years ago, the European Olympic Committees voted to create the European Games and awarded Baku as the first host city.  Since we arrived to Baku in March, there has been an air of excitement as the city anticipated the start of the Games.

European Games Countdown Clock in center city

The Games torch had been traveling throughout Azerbaijan for several weeks and last Sunday it finally arrived in Baku. Figuring this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, we went to check it out.  Our experience was a bit odd, since we happened to choose an unpopular portion of the torch route and watched the torch go by to an absence of crowds and cheers.

European Games Torch Bearer

But the real anticipation was for the opening ceremony.  It started with 1,000 women entering the stadium in fabulous hoop skirts.  As the music began, they moved their skirts a bit like curtains opening and closing to reveal different colors underneath.  It created a beautiful visual that became clear once we looked at the screen showing an overhead view - the colored skirts were arranged to look like a traditional Azerbaijani carpet!  The crowd went wild!

"Skirt dancers" showcase an Azerbaijani carpet design

The dancers continued to flip their skirts to display alternate colors and moved across the stage into different arrangements to create new carpet designs.

Another carpet design

I could have kept watching for hours, enjoying the bright colors and different designs, but the dancers were clearly building up to their finale.  They moved into their final positions and the overhead camera pulled back to unveil...the Azerbaijani flag! The crowd truly went nuts at this point.  Olympic ceremonies always have to have a healthy dose of patriotism from the host country, right?  The next blog entry will bring you the unique conclusion of the opening ceremony!

"Skirt dancers" create the Azerbaijani flag!