ON THE WINGS OF THE PHOENIX

The synthesis of an ancient historical heritage and contemporary culture is the main premise in the first official logo of the first European Olympic Games to be held in Baku in June 2015. The logo is to be presented simultaneously in Baku, Rome and Madrid.

Designed by the Azeri Adam Yunisov, the logo contains five elements - fire, water, the mythological Phoenix, a carpet and a pomegranate and is the embodiment of Azerbaijan's ancient and contemporary culture. The logo was chosen in an open public competition.

In an interview, Adam Yunisov told Regionplus that the creation of the emblem was aimed at advertising this prestigious competition. I wanted to express the interest of Azerbaijan's people in the first European Olympic Games and there desire to hold top-level games, to become an innovator in ideas and sport. This logo reflects this idea. The holding of the European Olympics in Baku will be a historic event."

The logo was presented at the 42nd General Assembly of the European Olympic Committee (EOC) and was evaluated highly by the EOC president, Patrick Hickey. He believes the logo is an important step in promoting the Games. He said that for the first time in its history Europe is to hold a multi-sport event on a continental scale. He went on to say that for most European sportsmen this would be an opportunity to represent their own countries. He added that the presentation of the logo was an important step in the preparations for holding high-level contests and that he felt sure that Baku was worthy of organising these Games.

We note that at the European Olympics in Baku in 2015 we shall be witness to contests involving 5,400 sportspeople from 49 Olympic countries in 18 types of sport.

Distinguished Azeri sportspeople share their opinion of the logo. The 2004 Athens Olympic champion, the Greco-Roman-style wrestler Farid Mansurov thought that the Baku-2015 games would be remembered by athletes as an opportunity to get on and grab the moment and by fans as a top-notch sports competition. "The Games will be a source of inspiration to young people. The logo should become a component in the formation of European sport's sporting future and tell the world about our country."

The Sydney-2000 archery champion, Zemfira Meftakhedinnova, said that excitement is growing as the time for the Games draws closer. She also approved of the chosen logo and added that the European Games will be an important event, not only in the life of our country, but in that of all sportspeople as well.

Incidentally the European Olympic's logo was depicted both on the T-shirts of Madrid's "Atletiko" team during its match with the "Khetafe" club at the Vincente Calderon Stadium. In keeping with the strategic partnership with Azerbaijan the logo was displayed on a huge screen at the stadium, thus demonstrating the Spanish club's support for the first European Olympic Games. In this "Atletiko" match, the well-known David Villa, Diego da Silva Costa and Arda Turan played [the Spanish team] "Khetafe" who lost 7 nil. The Madrid club's forward, Diego da Silva Costa, has stated that "Atletiko" supports the European Olympic Games in Baku in 2015. The Baku team and "Atletiko" are like-minded in this!"

Another "Atletiko" player, Arda Turan, expressed his opinion on the prestigious competition too: "I am very pleased that the first European Olympic Games, which will bring together peoples and countries through sport, are to be held in Baku. We believe that these Games will boost the interest of young people in sport and will create an Olympic atmosphere throughout Europe. We shall join in the competition with you!"

Thus the European Games logo has already been presented to the whole of the sporting world. This logo is being shown by the main TV channels, in newspapers and on web-sites worldwide. Reflecting the ancient and contemporary culture of Azerbaijan, the logo is something which every citizen in our country is proud of.  

SYMBOLS OF BAKU-2015 LOGO

The Baku -2015 logo contains five main elements drawn from our country's ancient and contemporary culture.  

The carpet: Azerbaijan's carpet-weaving, which was been placed on UNESCO's 2010 intangible cultural heritage list, is a family tradition passed down from generation to generation. This element in the logo reflects the principles inherent in the Baku-2015 plans as the need for cultural heritage, variety and creative expression. 

 The Fire: Azerbaijan has long been known as "A Land of Fires" The towers of fire and the flames of the natural gas (leaking from the ground on Yanardag fire mountain), which can be seen from almost everywhere in Baku, attract tourists from every corner of the world. This element reflects the fiery desire of Baku to play host to the European Olympic Games. 

 The Wave: Located 28 metres below sea level, Baku is the lowest capital in the world. It is situated on the southern shore of the Abseron peninsula, driving a wedge into the biggest lake in the world, the Caspian Sea. Today the unique geographical location of Azerbaijan's capital city serves as a spur to its economic, social and cultural development. This element is a symbol of the dynamic development of the city on the shore of the Caspian along the East-West axis and also as a concept of the new wave being brought in by the European Olympic Games, which are to shape the future of sport on the continent. 

 The Phoenix: Considered as a symbol of the unity of earth and sky, the good mythological bird the phoenix is playing the part of an intermediary conveying tidings between them. This element is a symbol of the Azeri people's attachment to nature, to intellectual values and the hospitality with which Baku will welcome athletes, fans and officials to the city in 2015. 

 The pomegranate: As a fruit for which Azerbaijan has been famous since time immemorial, the pomegranate has been the symbol of abundance and fertility. The fifth element in the logo embodies Baku's ambitions to unite Europeans in the sports sphere and pass on that heritage to future generations.