Today, Olympic Culture and Education Program had a grand launching of its “Olympic Culture and Sports Pavilion” within the framework of Baku 2019 at the Athletes Village. The program is an initiative of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan running as a legacy of Baku 2019 European Youth Olympic Festival with support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Republic and Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan Republic.

Within the framework of the program, during the Festival 49 Azerbaijani schools will represent European countries and will share the culture, history and values of each country. During the 22-26 July, over 36,000 athletes, technical officials and guests will have a chance to get involved in this project and have an unforgettable experience. Another aim of the pavilion is to promote Olympic values, cultural relations, peace and friendship among youth.

Chingiz Huseynzada vice president of NOC Azerbaijan, Azad Rahimov Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Republic, Jeyhun Baryamov Minister of Education of Azerbaijan Republic, Azer Aliyev deputy secretary general of NOC Azerbaijan, officials from participanting European Countries, heads and other officials from the diplomatic missions in Azerbaijan Republic, and guests were attending the ceremony.

Chingiz Huseynzada, in his welcome speech, mentioned the power of youth in promoting friendship, respect, peace and excellence in Olympism through European Youth Olympic Festival. “We can see the athletes and schoolchildren have a significant impact of promoting Olympic values and this pavilion is a way of assembling the core aspects.

Azad Rahimov, Minister of Youth and Sports talked about the benefits of the European Youth Summer Olympic Festival for Azerbaijan in terms of mass physical culture and sports development: “We want the children to be interested in sports and keep a healthy lifestyle through the European Youth Olympic Festival and the Olympic Culture and Education Program.”

Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Education stressed the role of schools and schoolchildren in this project. He noted that this project played an unprecedented role in shaping healthy lifestyles among schoolchildren, ensuring development of mass sports. He also mentioned the importance of cultivating friendships and helping talented children from different countries and cultures to explore and learn more.

The Opening Ceremony was followed by close familiarisation of guests with the culture and traditions of the countries. At the end of the event, schoolchildren made a concert with special songs and dances from different European countries.