Kate Hinchliffe, Baku 2015 ceremonies directorate, confirmed the five-day schedule, which will comprise of various events "showcasing all that Baku has to offer".

Having started its 5,500 kilometres journey in the Azerbaijani capital's Ateshgah temple on April 26, and since been transported by countless methods, a total of 100 Torchbearers will carry the Flame approximately 160 metres each on Sunday, starting on Satko Pier at 6pm, when it will arrive by boat, and ending at the iconic Maiden Tower, a unique architectural site and signature landmark in Baku, at 9.15pm. 

The following day, the Flame will visit nine of the 18 European Games venues stopping off at the BMX Velopark, the Aquatics Centre, the Basketball Arena, the Mountain Bike Velopark, Bilgah Beach, the Heydar Aliyev Arena, the National Gymnastics Arena, the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium as well as the Crystal Hall.

On June 9, a further 21 Torchbearers will run through the Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, from 4pm to 4.50pm, taking in historical sites such as Shirvanshah's Palace, the seat of north-eastern Azerbaijan's ruling dynasty during the Middle Ages, and Maiden Tower, where the Flame will be kept overnight from Sunday evening until the morning of June 11.  

The Flame will be collected each day before the building opens to the public, at approximately 8.30am, and returned after it has closed, at approximately 9.30pm.

Parks and cultural spaces will welcome the Flame on June 10, as it travels four different routes from Nizami Street to Fountain Square, Winter Park to Heydar Aliyev Palace Park, Philharmonic Park to funicular railway, and also through City View Park.

On June 11, the Flame will depart from Maiden Tower at 9pm and arrive on Satko Pier at 9.30pm, via the shore of the Caspian sea, after which it will next be seen entering the National Stadium for the Opening Ceremony on June 12. 

The Flame will have visited 60 regions of the country ahead of its arrival in Baku, passing within one hour of 99 per cent of the country’s population, it is claimed.

More than 1,000 Torchbearers, selected for their importance to local communities and service to sport, have been chosen for the honour of carrying the European Games Torch.

Also in attendance at the press conference was Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan's Minister of Youth and Sports and Baku 2015 chief executive, as well as Simon Clegg, Baku 2015 chief operating officer, and Catherine Ugwu, Baku 2015 director of ceremonies, while Azerbaijan's Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler Farid Mansurov was on hand to pose with the Torch. 

"I think that the excitement and anticipation in Baku has built as a result of what people have seen through the really incredibly strong visual images of tens of thousands of people turning out on the streets, every time we’ve had a Festival of Fire or a welcome ceremony in each of the 60 regions," Clegg told insidethegames. 

Ugwu added: "The journey of the Flame in Baku will be a wonderful way to involve the host city’s residents in the Games, and to ensure that the best of Baku is showcased for the whole world to see ahead of the Opening Ceremony.

"We have endeavoured to ensure that the creative aspects of the inaugural European Games, including the spectacular ceremonies, capture the imagination of Baku 2015’s athletes, spectators and the general public, in Azerbaijan and beyond, and the journey of the Flame is a key part of this initiative."

Meanwhile, the Flame, five weeks into its epic journey across Azerbaijan, has passed through the city of Guba for the final Festival of Fire celebration. 

Guba, purported to produce the best apples in the country is also home to Azerbaijan’s first-ever golf course, created to exacting standards. 

The National Azerbaijan Golf Club was one of the first stops of the Torch convoy, quickly followed by a visit to some traditional weavers handcrafting carpets from naturally died wools and silks, just as their forebearers had done for centuries before them.

As with previous locations, the Flame began with a traditional Torch Relay covering 3.47km across the Heydar Aliyev Avenue. 

Mountain biker Murad Sultanov was the first of 14 Torchbearers, followed by Musa Mirzayev, Sabuhi Vahidi, Tural Valibayov, Safa Ruzmanov, Murad Sultanov, Aysun Aliyeva, Miri Yusif, Jamal Rahimov, Nazarshah Fatullayev, Rovshan Javadov, Ulkar Yusifova, Turan Gafarov and Famil Mikayilov. 

The final Torchbearer was Telman Maharramovv, who brought it to the stage in the Heydar Aliyev Park for the official lighting ceremony.

The Flame was then transferred to a special commemorative lamp that will remain on display in the Park until June 28, coinciding with the cauldron being extinguished at the Closing Ceremony of the European Games. 

Local residents enjoyed a free evening event, while official European Games mascots Jeyran and Nar joined the crowd as they were treated to entertainment and music from local artists, as well as the signature fire show. 

Doves and balloons symbolising peace were then released into the night to end the celebrations and signal the dampening of the Festival of Fire for the last time.

The Flame's journey is due to continue to Khachmaz tomorrow for smaller welcome ceremonies.

To see highlights of the Flame's journey this week, click here.

For further information on the Flame's journey, click here. 


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