The European Games in the Azerbaijani capital Baku started on June 12 with a beautiful opening ceremony that presented the rich and varicolored culture of Azerbaijan. The European Games in Baku are the first of their kind. More than 6,000 European athletes will show their mastery of 20 sports. The Games will end on June 28. The next such event is expected to take place in 2019.
© AFP 2023 / TOFIK BABAYEV Fireworks erupt during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games at the Olympic stadium in Baku on June 12, 2015.
Fireworks erupt during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games at the Olympic stadium in Baku on June 12, 2015.
© AP Photo / Dmitry LovetskyActors perform during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
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© AP Photo / Dmitry Lovetsky
Actors perform during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich / Go to the mediabankActors perform during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
Actors perform during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
© Sputnik / Alexei Filippov / Go to the mediabankThe representatives of Italy during the parade of athletes and national delegations during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
The representatives of Italy during the parade of athletes and national delegations during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich / Go to the mediabankFireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
© Sputnik / Alexei Filippov / Go to the mediabankJune 12, 2015. Russian President Vladimir Putin (third from the right in the first row) during a visit to the opening ceremony of the first European Games in Baku. Right - the Prince of Monaco Albert II. The fourth right - International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. In the center - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva. Fourth from the left - President of the European Olympic Committee, Patrick Hickey and his wife. Left - President of the Turkish Republic Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine.
June 12, 2015. Russian President Vladimir Putin (third from the right in the first row) during a visit to the opening ceremony of the first European Games in Baku. Right - the Prince of Monaco Albert II. The fourth right - International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. In the center - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva. Fourth from the left - President of the European Olympic Committee, Patrick Hickey and his wife. Left - President of the Turkish Republic Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine.
© AP Photo / Dmitry LovetskyPerformers take part in an historical scene during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
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© AP Photo / Dmitry Lovetsky
Performers take part in an historical scene during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
© AFP 2023 / JACK GUEZA man lights up the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games on the Olympic stadium in Baku on June 12, 2015.
A man lights up the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games on the Olympic stadium in Baku on June 12, 2015.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich / Go to the mediabankActors perform during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
Actors perform during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
© AP Photo / Dmitry LovetskyFireworks explode over the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
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© AP Photo / Dmitry Lovetsky
Fireworks explode over the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
© AP Photo / Dmitry LovetskyUS singer Lady Gaga gestures, during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
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© AP Photo / Dmitry Lovetsky
US singer Lady Gaga gestures, during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
© AP Photo / Dmitry LovetskyPerformers introduce participating countries during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
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© AP Photo / Dmitry Lovetsky
Performers introduce participating countries during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
© AP Photo / Dmitry LovetskyAn actor performs during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
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© AP Photo / Dmitry Lovetsky
An actor performs during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
© Sputnik / Alexei Filippov / Go to the mediabankActors perform during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
Actors perform during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, Friday, June 12, 2015.
© REUTERS / Kai PfaffenbachArtists perform on stage during the opening ceremony of the 1st European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, June 12, 2015.
Artists perform on stage during the opening ceremony of the 1st European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, June 12, 2015.
© AFP 2023 / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV Fireworks erupt during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games on the Olympic stadium in Baku on June 12, 2015.
Fireworks erupt during the opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games on the Olympic stadium in Baku on June 12, 2015.