Baku News and Events June 2013 Baku Charity Triathlon The 9th annual Baku Charity Triathlon will take place on Saturday, June 8, 2013. The race is a sprint-distance triathlon: 500m swim, 20km bike, 5 km run. The swim will take place at the Hyatt Oasis Club indoor pool during the morning, while the afternoon bike and run will take place at Stonepay Royal Park. The categories are an Open Race (men and women), an over 40’s race (men and women), an over 50s race (men and women) and two team races – teams of two or teams of three (no gender difference here). For more information, to volunteer, or to sign up, contact: John Patterson at [email protected] http://www.britishbusinessgroupazerbaijan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/9th-Annual-Baku-ERNST-YOUNG- Triathlon.pdf Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ernst-and-Young-Baku-Sprint- Triathlon/126632020752381?fref=ts Maria Pia Forte Prize for Expats An online resource for expatriate women, ExpatClic (http://www.expatclic.com), is sponsoring the Maria Pia Forte Prize and I thought CLO clients might be interested in this competition. Full contest rules are available on the site, but it’s open to women (18+) who have lived outside their own countries for more than two years. The contest is in honor of Ms. Forte, a dynamic and inspirational expatriate woman who died in 2011 and would have turned 70 this year. They are accepting stories (both fiction and non-fiction), poems and photographs around the themes of life as an expatriate woman, travel reflections, cross- cultural encounters, and the value of writing. Submissions may be in several different languages and the prize is €1500 Euro for each category. Contest submissions between 7 May and 31 July, 2013. MAY 28 - JUNE 6 -- U-17 III International Tournament "Caspian Cup 2013" (soccer men under 17) The Men’s International Football Tournament for ages 17 and under begins this week. Team USA will be playing the following times, but location is TBD: (1) Azerbaijan’s first game is on WEDNESDAY, May 29th @ 8:30PM & they are playing against Kazakhstan; (2) USA’s first game is on THURSDAY, May 30th @ 5PM & the rival team will be Kyrgyzstan; (3) SATURDAY, June 1st @ 9PM – Azerbaijan/USA game. The Kazbegi, Georgia Trail Marathon - September 7, 2013 The adventure trail marathon will take place in the background of the Great Caucasus magnificent views, the towering Mt. Kazbegi, alpine slopes, ancient towers and enchanting churches will accompany you throughout your race. In Georgian, known as Mkinvartsveri (“Ice-Top”), this perpetually snow-covered giant, reaching 5047m, is one of the highest peaks in the Caucasus. Mt. Kazbeg faces down towards the town of Kazbegi (Stephantsminda). The peak is steeped in legend: the ancient Greeks believed that Prometheus was chained to the rocky flanks of the mountain as a punishment for stealing fire from the Gods and giving it to mortals, while Christian legend tells that the manger of Christ was brought to Kazbegi and is still hidden somewhere hereabouts. Whether you believe these legends or not, visiting the area is sure to be an unforgettable experience! The race is a true ‘adventure trail run’ that begins with a 4 mile steep climb up the mountain to the monastery, down a goat trail, and through a swamp. The race consists of 4 distances for runners at all levels: 8 km road race (flat road, no trail), half marathon (21 km), full marathon (42 km), and ultra marathon (53 km). Everyone willing to try his/her abilities, who loves running and is fascinated by nature is welcome to participate in this marathon. Date is 9am on September 7, 2013. You must preregister. Please visit the website for more information: www.kazbegi- marathon.com For questions email: [email protected], [email protected] , or [email protected] Sport equipment and supplies stores In Ganjlik there is a row of 4 sports stores that sell all kinds of equipment from swimming to yoga to weights. Good pricing and range of products. Here’s the scoop: 4 stores: Sport Line, SportTech, Green immediately into parking lot. Sport, Champion Location: in Ganjlik, pass the McDonalds Address: 98 F. Xan Kumasi and Bazaar store on right, continue past the Metro: Ganjlik wall of construction and immediately turn Champion phone: 012-465-6471 right on top of the sidewalk and into the SportTech phone: 012-447-7848, 051-589-1110 Website: sport tech.az parking lot. Or, turn right on next street and Soloha Ukranian Restaurant Soloka offers a 6 AZN business lunch or you can order Ukranian food from the menu. The borscht soup is quite delicious as are the creamy mushroom dumplings. Soloha Ukranian Restaurant Address: 61 Academic Mirali Gashgay Str. Phone: 012-440-3031, 070-254-5222 Email: [email protected] Website: www.soloha.az Hours: M-F: 12:00-11:00pm, Sat-Sun: 1:00-12pm Travel Section ROCK CLIMBING in AZERBAIJAN The sport of rock climbing has recently taken root in Azerbaijan. In Baku, what is claimed as the very first indoor climbing gym, was opened on November 17, 2011. The Green Rock was opened by two friends, Ali Tahmazov, from Baku, and Michał Piasecki, from Poland. This climbing wall is located on Salatin Asgarova 101, off of Samad Vergun and in the neighborhood of the Heydar Aliyev Saray. Its rates are very inexpensive and includes experienced instructors to teach and belay customers when needed (a belayer is the person on the ground who is also attached to the rope, he or she raises the rope as someone climbs and then slowly lets the rope out to bring a person back down after the completion of their climb). Newly rediscovered by the CLO, however, there is another climbing gym, located in the White City (formerly the Black City), called ClimBaku. ClimBaku is supported by the Air and Extreme Sports Federation of Azerbaijan (FAIREX). This climbing gym is free, though only with a membership to FAIREX, which, reportedly, is also free. With a climbing wall in the new mall, perhaps climbing will gain even more prominence here. There even is a climbing gym outside Baku, in Sheki, which also leads outdoor climbing expeditions to the nearby mountains. Azeri Mountain Adventures, operated by two Americans, Joseph Shekarabi and Mike Pakizer opened in May 2011. All of these locations offer monthly memberships to climb. These facilities also boast trained instructors, great equipment, and low prices; but in its essence climbing can be a dangerous sport, so always exercise caution and strictly follow established safety rules. Climbing can be a great way to exercise your muscles and your mind. With two climbing gyms, a climbing wall, and another climbing gym in Sheki, everyone, whether a beginner or experienced, can take advantage of this sport! Climbing Centers in Azerbaijan Green Rock Website: http://www.greenrock.az/ or [email protected] Address: Salatin Askerova, Building 101, near Nizami metro Phone: (012) 415 7017; (040) 215 7017. Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 10.00 to 22.00 Azeri Mountain Website: http://www.azerventures.com Email: [email protected] Location and facebook page accessible through website ClimBaku Address: Baku city, Xetai district, Nobel avenue 61. Tel/Fax: (+99412) 564-53-95 ; (+99412) 564-79-85 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.climbaku.az (FAIREX: Website:http://fairex.az/index.phtml?lang=en&sectionid=74) 3 Cultural Events Check website for details: http://citylife.az Theatre of Opera and Ballet Address: 8, 28 may str. Phone: 012-493-3188, 493-1651 Tickets: 10, 13, 16 AZN Performance "Masha and the Bear" 01 June , 02 June - 12:00, 15:00, 17:00 Opera “Masha and Medved” 01 June, 02 June – 15:00, 17:00; 12:00, 15:00 Graduate Concert of Baku Choreographic Gymnasium 04 June – 18:00 Concert of popular singer EMIN Opera “Leyli and Madjnun” 05 June – will take place on July, 11, 2013 at Opera “Tosca” 08 June – the Green Theatre (Yasil Teatr). Opera “Ashig Garib” 09 June - Opera “The 1001 Nights” 12 June - Emin-is romantic music, amazing Opera “Jizel” 15 June – voice and bright show. EMIN sings Opera “Shakh Ismayil” 19 June - Opera “Troubadur” 22 June - Contemporary Rock Ballade (CRB) style based on connection Baku Jazz Center of classical rock ballads with Address: 19, Rashid Behbudov Str. Phone: 012-493-9941, 055-200-7172 computer technologies. Tickets 20- Site: http://www.jazz.az 200 AZN. Every evening from 9.00 pm – live concerts Pantomime Theatre Address: 49, Azadliq ave. Phone: 012-441-47-56, 050-314-9401 Tickets: 5 AZN Theatre of the Young Spectator Address: 72, Nizami str. Phone: 012-493-7928 Tickets: 4, 6 AZN "Sleeping beauty" 30 May - 15:00 "Witch Peri" 31 May - 19:00 "The Beauty and the monster" 31 May - 15:00 Russian Drama Theatre Address: 7, Hagani str. Phone: 012-493-0063, 493-4242 Tickets: 4- 50 AZN Georgian state ensemble of song Site: http://www.rusdrama-az.com and dance "Erisioni" will perform "Even a Wise Man Stumbles" 09 May , 10 May - 19:00 on June 6 - 20:30 at the Green "My wife's Name is Maurice" 11 May - 19:00 New year performance 11 May - 12:00 Theater (Yasil Teatr). This is "Muse Jordan, the scientific botanist and dervish Mastalishah" 28 May - 19:00 Baku’s outdoor theater located "Seven beauties" 31 May - 19:00 near the Philharmonic. Anniversary evening with Vladimir Etush 12 June - 19:00 Puppet Theatre Address: 36, Neftchiler ave. Tickets: 10-80 AZN. Come see a Phone: 012-492-6425, 492-6435, 492-4458 live performance of traditional Site: http://www.kuklateatri.com/ Tickets: 2 AZN dances and see beautiful "Dzhyrtdan" 28 May - 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 Georgian costumes.