On April 26, the flame of the Baku-2015 European Games was lit.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady, Chairperson of the First European Games Organizing Committee Mehriban Aliyeva, family members and President of the European Olympic Committee Patrick Hickey participated in the ceremony.
In accordance with Olympic traditions, the relay race started from Atashgah, an old fire temple. The flame of the First European Games will during 47 days travel every corner of Azerbaijan and be brought to the Baku Olympic Stadium to the opening ceremony of the Games.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev addressed the ceremony.
After the speech by President of the European Olympic Committee Patrick Hickey, President Ilham Aliyev, accompanied by Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva and Mr Patrick Hickey, lit the flame of the Games.
The President handed over the flame of the Baku-2015 European Games to the first flame carrier of the Baku-2015 European Games - Olympic champion Rafiga Shabanova.
Thus the flame of the First European Games started its travel. Over 1000 people have been involved in the relay race, and holding of a “Flame festival” is planned in each region. On the ground, the flame will be carried by bus, cable car, bicycle; under the ground it will travel by Baku Underground, on water, by a boat, and in the air, by an airplane. On June 8, the flame will be carried at sports arenas in the capital and, on June 9, it will be carried in the Inner City. June 10th will be the final day of the flame programme, and it will have travelled about 5500 kilometres before coming back to Baku.
Then a dinner–party was arranged on the occasion of the lighting the flame of the First European Games.
At the end, photos were shot with the flame of the First European Games.