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Home , 2015 European Games, Ateshgah of Baku, Azerbaijani dances, Baku Boulevard, Baku Olympic Stadium, Catherine Ugwu

MEDIA GUIDE 12 May 2017 OPENING CEREMONY Olympic Stadium Knowledge

Information in this media guide is embargoed until 22:00 (Baku time) Introduction on 12 May 2017. Words of welcome 2 at a glance 6 During the Ceremony there are some things we’d like to keep secret for the Baku 2017 7 audience until the moment they’re revealed, so please don’t spoil the surprise! Ceremony overview Key points 8

Scene by scene Opening Ceremony 12

Credits Principal performers 61 Baku 2017 Executive 62 Ceremonies team 63 Sponsors 66

Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 01 HRH Prince Abdullah Bin Mosaad Bin Abdulaziz Minister of Youth & Sport of the Republic of Azerbaijan Chief Executive Officer, Azerbaijan Islamic Solidarity Games President, Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation Operations Committee

The Games will Friends from all over the world, welcome to Baku for the fourth The Games are the Tonight, it’s Azerbaijan’s privilege to welcome athletes and spectators see competitors edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games. culmination of from across the Islamic world to Baku, a beautiful city that has been from four over 20 months of transformed over the last five years by the power of sport. continents come The Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation is committed to harnessing careful planning together in the the power of sport to foster understanding and unity across the and preparation, This evening’s Ceremony will be an unforgettable celebration of unity Islamic world. and solidarity, as Azerbaijan honours its heritage while continuing to spirit of peace and and we are ready build a reputation as a centre for international exchange and major respect, providing Sport brings together participants and spectators in an atmosphere to host thousands sporting events, including the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this summer inspiration for of cooperation and community, and provides the foundation for lasting of athletes at 16 and UEFA European Football Championship matches in 2020. spectators of bonds of friendship. The Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games will see state-of-the-art all faiths and competitors from four continents come together in the spirit of peace sporting venues. The Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games are the culmination of over nationalities. and respect, providing inspiration for spectators of all faiths and 20 months of careful planning and preparation, and we are ready to nationalities. host thousands of athletes at 16 state-of-the-art sporting venues.

I would like to thank the people of our wonderful host nation – Over the coming 10 days, you will enjoy competitions across 20 Azerbaijan – and First Vice President for her different sports, from popular Olympic events such as Gymnastics leadership as Chair of the Baku 2017 Organising Committee. Azerbaijan and Wrestling, to up-and-coming sports such as Wushu and Azerbaijani is passionate about sport, and has shown unwavering commitment to Zurkhaneh, to fully integrated Para Athletics and Blind Judo events. hosting an event of the highest standard. I have no doubt that these Games will be a credit to the hard work and commitment of Baku 2017’s It is this commitment to inclusion and solidarity that will inspire organisers and volunteers, and that our athletes will be provided with the athletes of the future, and I look forward to seeing the values the perfect conditions in which to excel. of friendly competition and fair play come to life at Baku 2017.

I would like to wish all our athletes the best of luck as they embark on what will be 10 days of excellent sporting competition.

02 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 03 Nathan M. Wright

Director of Ceremonies & Executive Producer Artistic Director

Our Ceremony is These Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku come at a critical moment At the heart of Tonight, I am proud to share with you ‘Knowledge’ – the Opening a universal story in world history. A time marked by uncertainty and discord, when our Ceremony is Ceremony of the Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games. of peace rooted our differences seem to divide rather than unite us. Tonight, our a little girl from in the culture Ceremony seeks instead to focus on what brings us together, as Baku, Mina. At the heart of our Ceremony is a little girl from Baku, Mina. We follow and traditions nations and as people. Her story is a her on a journey of discovery, guided by her friendly kite. Along the way she learns about her identity and heritage, her beliefs and dreams. of Azerbaijan. celebration of Ours is a universal story of peace rooted in the culture and traditions By the end, her hope for the future is all-embracing, her joy an A timely reminder of Azerbaijan. A timely reminder of the enormous contributions Islamic the power of inspiration. Mina’s story is a celebration of the power of community of the enormous civilisation has made to everything we see and do today. A tale of community and and unity. A wish, for a better world living in peace and harmony. contributions solidarity and hope filled with optimism for our collective future. unity. A wish, for Islamic civilisation a better world Creating this Ceremony – living and working in beautiful Baku, has made to Thousands of people from across the world have worked many months living in peace learning about the rich culture of Azerbaijan and the extraordinary everything we see to make this Ceremony a reality – I’d like to thank them all for their and harmony. accomplishments of Islamic civilisation – has been a true privilege. and do today. creativity, passion and commitment. I would like to thank the thousands of performers and the Ceremonies My heartfelt gratitude goes to the President of the Republic of team who have brought my story to life with their talent and dedication. Azerbaijan, , the First Vice President of the Republic Working alongside you all has been a pleasure. of Azerbaijan and Chair of the Baku 2017 Organising Committee, Mehriban Aliyeva, and the Minister of Youth and Sport, Azad Rahimov. For more than a year now, I have been moved and inspired by the Without their trust and support, none of this would have been possible. generosity and warmth of the people of Azerbaijan. I hope I have captured the spirit of your wonderful country. Tonight’s Ceremony Finally, a huge thank you to the people of Azerbaijan. This is truly is yours to enjoy. a country of shining stars who represent the very best of the human spirit. I hope tonight we make you all proud.

04 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 05 Azerbaijan at a glance Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games

Azerbaijan, the largest country in the The cosmopolitan capital, Baku, sits on the In July 2013, Baku was announced as the The Azerbaijan Islamic Solidarity Games region, is located at the crossroads of Western shores of the surrounded by host city for the fourth Islamic Solidarity Operations Committee (AISGOC) will organise Asia and Eastern Europe. Its eastern coastline semi-desert. Its Walled City, on UNESCO’s Games – an exciting multi-sport event and run the Games in cooperation with is bounded by the Caspian Sea – the world’s World Heritage List, is ringed by burgeoning uniting the Islamic world. the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF). largest enclosed inland body of water. new skyscrapers yet, barely a few hours’ drive Athletes from more than 50 Islamic countries Azerbaijan has always had a passion for sport away, timeless rural villages are backed by the will come together from 12 to 22 May 2017 – recently hosting the Baku 2015 European A land of plentiful natural resources, age-old soaring . to represent their nations over 10 days of Games – and its investment in Baku 2017 will culture and deeply engrained hospitality, competition across 20 different sports. pay dividends in the future as the country Azerbaijan has always played a vital role in They include 24 disciplines (Athletics and hosts further events. the region. It’s a nexus of ancient historical RECENT AND FORTHCOMING Para Athletics, Aquatics: Diving, Aquatics: empires. But also a new nation – independent MAJOR EVENTS IN AZERBAIJAN Swimming, Aquatics: Water Polo, Basketball since 1991 – and a youthful country, with In 2015, the inaugural 3x3, Boxing, Football, Gymnastics: Artistic, 40% of the population aged under 25. and the Chess World Cup were held in Baku. Gymnastics: Rhythmic, Handball, Judo and 10 competition days Blind Judo, Karate, Shooting, Table Tennis, Azerbaijan enjoys a booming economy that The following year, Azerbaijan hosted the Taekwondo, Tennis, Volleyball, Weightlifting, 16 venues achieved the second highest GDP growth in World Chess Olympiad, Arena Polo World Cup, Wrestling: Greco-Roman, Wrestling: Freestyle, the world between 2000 and 2010. The boom UEFA European Under-17 Championship and Wushu and Zurkhaneh) in 16 state-of-the-art 20 sports is largely driven by natural resources, but AGF Trophy World Cup 2016 Rhythmic competition venues across Baku. there are also growing agriculture, tourism Gymnastics Finals. 24 disciplines and events industries. The Organising Committee was set up by Looking ahead, in the summer of 2017 the decree of Ilham Aliyev, President of the 50+ teams Nine out of 11 climate types are present in Azerbaijan Grand Prix will see Formula 1 Republic of Azerbaijan, under the leadership Azerbaijan – from semi-deserts to mountain cars racing through the streets of Baku for the of Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice President of 269 medal events tundras. At the extremes, temperatures can second year running; and later in the year, the the Republic of Azerbaijan. medals reach 46°C and drop as low as -33°C. Women’s European Volleyball Championship 1,585 will be held in the city. In 2020, Azerbaijan athletes from four continents Food is deeply rooted in the history, traditions will host the European Karate Championship, 2,800 and values of the nation. Aside from wonderful plus three group stage football matches and a soups and kebabs, one of the most widespread quarter-final of the UEFA Euro Championship dishes is the rice-based plov. – a at the . symbol of unity – are also a feature of the cuisine.

06 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 07 Ceremony overview: key points Facts & stats Closing Ceremony

• The Opening Ceremony of the fourth Islamic • The Ceremony is brought to life by 2,200 6 kilometres of blackout fabric used to Gilavar: Monday 22 May Solidarity Games is another landmark event volunteer performers from Azerbaijan. create the stage backdrop that transforms Rooted in the country’s elemental landscapes, for Azerbaijan and the international sporting They are joined on stage by more than the stadium into a theatre. the Closing Ceremony explores Azerbaijan’s community. Created by world-leading 40 animals – horses, camels and donkeys. beautiful heritage and takes a joyous look Betty Productions Ltd – led by Director 75 kilometres of power cable and at the city of winds, Baku, where the gentle and Executive Producer, Catherine Ugwu • The music heard in tonight’s Ceremony 7 megawatts of generator power are used breeze of the Gilavar warms our hearts with – and international artistic, production and – performed by more than 100 world-class for the Ceremony. positive change. Together we will celebrate technical teams, it promises to be moving musicians – features works written by the great achievements of our athletes and and memorable. more than a dozen Azerbaijani composers, 130 projectors with 2.3 million lumens share the spirit of the Games – unity and including the legendary Uzeyir Hajibayli, of projection capacity. solidarity – with the world. • The Ceremony tells a universal story of peace and Gara Garayev. and hope, and celebrates the enormous 300+ speakers and 12 kilometres of For more information on Ceremonies contribution Islamic civilisation has made • Two world-renowned performers from cabling for the Stadium sound system. visit baku2017.com to everything around us. Springing from the Azerbaijan are with us in the Stadium this age-old culture of Azerbaijan, it follows a evening: vocalist Alim Qasimov 1,000+ lighting fixtures connected little girl and her kite on an inspirational and percussionist Natig Shirinov (see by 60 kilometres of cabling. journey of knowledge and discovery. biographies p61). 3,000 tonnes of air, land and sea • Baku Olympic Stadium has been transformed • The set took six weeks to build, but it will freight came from 17 countries to create into an enormous theatre space equipped take just 24 hours to take it all down so that the Ceremony. with a state-of-the-art projection system. the stadium is ready for the Athletics (16–20 May). 3,000+ cast in-ear headpieces keep • The stage design – an interlaced pattern everyone in the loop. of circles forming a central hexagon in • More than 5,000 people from 31 different tribute to the extraordinary geometric countries have helped make the Baku 2017 designs characteristic of Islamic art – Ceremonies a reality, including production features two minarets, each 28m high. staff, technical crew and cast.

• The vast screen (85m wide by 35m high) is filled with rich video content developed over many months – from hyper-real animations to stunning cinematic sequences.

08 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 09 Ceremonies team Knowledge: scene by scene

Director of Ceremonies Music Director 12 Countdown & Executive Producer Mike Dixon 14 Salaam Catherine Ugwu Aerial Choreographer Artistic Director Phil Hayes 16 Glorious Land Nathan M. Wright Visual Content Director 18 Journey from the Caspian Producer Richard Lindsay 20 Athletes of the Islamic World Kate Hinchliffe Head of Choreography 22 ISSF Flag & Games Oaths Head of Business & Finance Michael Peña Mark Smith 24 Let the Games Begin Production Designer Lighting Designer Joanna Scotcher 26 Unity Adam Bassett Audio Designer 28 Harmony Costume Designer Scott Willsallen 30 Identity Tim Chappel 32 Belief 34 Purity See biographies p63-65. 36 Knowledge 50 Dream 52 Joy 54 Hope 56 Inspiration 58 Peace

10 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 11 Countdown Duration 00:03:45

Overview Action Background notes A kite takes to the air in Baku’s . We then welcome the official party: In a video, a flying Baku Olympic Water from natural It catches the attention of a little girl, Mina, kite leads us from the Stadium sits on sources across and her friends, who chase it through the Ilham Aliyev Old City through Baku the shores of Lake Azerbaijan will play city all the way to the Stadium. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Stadium. Boyukshor, the a central role in second largest lake tonight’s Ceremony, We see some of Baku’s iconic landmarks: the Mehriban Aliyeva in Azerbaijan with a as a symbol of unity. , , Philharmonia First Vice President of the surface area of 9.2 Garden, the Centre and, finally, Republic of Azerbaijan square kilometres. the Olympic Stadium. and Chair of the Baku 2017 Inside the Stadium children hold kites with Organising Committee Inside the Stadium Cast Facts & stats numbers counting down from 10 to one. children holding Dr Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen numbered kites count Mina and her kite are 6 Secretary General of the down to the start of our heroes tonight – The number of girls Organisation of Islamic Cooperation the Ceremony. we will follow their specially trained to Fireworks ignite story. dance, act and fly behind each child as as Mina. All are we go from 10 to one. highly-skilled young athletes, and members of Once the countdown Music Azerbaijan’s is complete, we national rhythmic welcome the official Yashar Bakhish’s gymnastics team. party. ‘Morning in Baku’. See biographies p61.

12 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 13 Salaam Duration 00:03:53

Overview Cast Music Action Background notes With a proud and open heart, Azerbaijan 700 volunteer Eldar Mansurov’s The cast form a Hexagon patterns, The 700 hexagons welcomes the Islamic world – more than performers fill the ‘: crescent moon such as the that come together on 50 nations coming together in the spirit of stage. They hold Yalli’. and star. honeycomb, are stage tonight represent peace and understanding. reflective hexagons among the strongest the Baku 2017 Games to create a series naturally-occurring motto: solidarity is In the Islamic calendar, a crescent moon of shapes. structures. our strength. marks the start of each new month. These Games signal a fresh chapter in the long They are joined by history of our solidarity and cooperation. 10 male dancers from the Azerbaijan State We have gathered here in Baku as friends, Ensemble, who The cast form the Facts & stats to celebrate and strengthen all that unites us. perform with Baku 2017 logo. 7-metre-long silks. 15 2,200 the number of the number of cresent moons that volunteer performers appear in the flags of who appear on stage participating teams, tonight. including the flag of the Islamic Solidarity 12 Sports Federation. the number of weeks The cast flip their Crescent moons also of rehearsal for the hexagons to reveal top our two minarets. volunteers. the . 700 115,000+ hexagons on stage in the number of meals this sequence. served to cast during rehearsals.

14 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 15 Glorious Land Duration 00:04:17

Overview Music Action Azerbaijan. Famed ‘land of fire’. Youthful The national anthem Tonight we hear a The flag of Azerbaijan yet rooted in age-old culture. Blessed with of the Republic of version orchestrated is carried by eight extraordinary landscapes and great natural Azerbaijan, known by Rauf Aliyev and and raised by three riches. Filled with pride for the past and as the ‘March of performed by the servicemen of the promise for the future. In the words sung Azerbaijan’, was Royal Philharmonic National Guard of by all her people – a glorious land. composed in 1919 Orchestra. the Special State by Uzeyir Hajibayli Protection Service. with words by It’s then raised as Ahmad Javad. the national anthem plays. Background notes The three stripes The Azerbaijani flag of the Azerbaijani that flies in Baku, flag symbolise: on the shores of the Turkic heritage Caspian Sea, is one (blue), progress and of the largest in the democracy (red), world – 35 x 70m. and pride in Islamic It tops a 162m high civilisation (green). flagpole. Fireworks shoot from the Stadium roof in the national colours Facts & stats of Azerbaijan. 11 15 members of the height in metres of armed forces carry the flag pole inside and raise the flag. the Stadium.

16 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 17 Journey from the Caspian Duration 00:05:43

Overview Cast Action Background notes Almost 40 days ago, waters from the shores On stage tonight are 16 children of Azerbaijan: A video on the screens The Baku 2017 The Journey from of the Caspian were sent throughout the shows the Journey Water Vessels, the Caspian began on From Baku From country by the President of the Republic from the Caspian beautifully crafted 5 April 2017 with the Hayat Allahverdiyeva Murad Namazov of Azerbaijan – Ilham Aliyev – to bring the Launch Ceremony, in three sizes Launch Ceremony at From From Games closer to everyone. In return, crystal and children collecting from smooth and the Stone Chronicle Murad Aliyarov Isfandiyar Karimov waters collected by children from lakes and water from locations hammered copper, Museum in Baku, and From Astara From Gakh rivers, waterfalls and springs across the land of great natural were inspired by ends here tonight at Mirrahil Agayev Ayshan Huseynova are united here tonight. beauty across Azerbaijani metal- the Olympic Stadium. From From Gabala Azerbaijan. working techniques Sama Aliyeva Shafiga Bayramzade Azerbaijan and her people welcome the world and traditional vessel From From Gusar to the Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games. designs from across Tahir Guliyev Matin Badalov The children of the Islamic world. From Agjabedi From Guba Azerbaijan enter Fatima Shirinova Gunel Gonagova holding copper From Horadiz city, From Garadagh vessels, and pour the Fizuli Mirakram Baghirli waters of Azerbaijan Facts & stats Zenfira Zalova From Sumgayit into the large copper 8 Journey from From Ganja Salim Imranli bowl on stage. diameter in metres the Caspian Aysu Salahova A pyrotechnic of the copper water 3,000+ kilometres waterfall ignites bowl in the centre of 37 days the stage. Music behind the children. 16 locations visiting 5 lakes, Rovshan Asgarzade’s 1 reservoir, 3 rivers, ‘Opening Theme’ and 1 spring, 3 waterfalls, Azad Valiyev’s and the Caspian Sea ‘Towards the Sun’. 125 copper vessels

18 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 19 Athletes of the Islamic World Duration 00:55:00

Overview Music Action Parade of Athletes Here with us in Baku from four continents, The Parade includes Baku-born, Each team is led into Teams enter the Stadium in English walking together in solidarity – the athletes Azerbaijani pop songs Natig Shirinov is the Stadium by their alphabetical order. The host nation, of the Islamic world. by: considered one of flag, a placard bearer Azerbaijan, conclude the Parade. Sabina Askerova the greatest naghara and a water bearer Maldives After years of training, dedication and sacrifice, Abbas Bagirov drum players of our holding a copper Mali this is their moment. Thousands of women and Brilliant Dadashova time. This evening, vessel. Algeria Mauritania men will enter 16 sporting arenas to compete Kamil Estem with his Natig Bahrain Morocco for more than 1,000 medals across 20 sports Natavan Habibi Rhythm Group, Bangladesh and 10 days. Their excellence, their friendship, Elnur Huseynov he performs ‘Four Benin Niger their respect for one another inspire us all. Aygun Kazimova Seasons’ and ‘Sticks’ Brunei Darussalam Nigeria Farid Mammadov for the entrance of Natig Shirinov and Burkina Faso Oman Our joyous Parade sees teams from more Sahil Umud ft. Team Azerbaijan. another 19 drummers Cameroon Pakistan than 50 countries enter the Stadium (in Narmin Karimbayova See biographies p61. perform as Team Chad Palestine English alphabetical order) and concludes Zamiq Azerbaijan enter the Comoros Qatar Côte d’Ivoire Saudi Arabia with the athletes of Azerbaijan – proud host Stadium. The group Djibouti Senegal of the Games. play on to close the Egypt Sierra Leone Parade. Gabon Somalia Each team is led into the Stadium by their flag, Facts & stats Gambia Suriname a man holding a placard designed to look like Guinea Syria an Islamic armillary sphere (see p41) – a tribute 2,800 50+ teams. Guinea-Bissau to the distances the athletes have travelled athletes will compete The flags of the Guyana Togo round the globe to be here tonight – and a at Baku 2017. 130 volunteers Baku 2017 Islamic Indonesia Tunisia woman carrying a Baku 2017 Water Vessel. welcome the athletes. Solidarity Games fly together. Iraq Jordan Uganda Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Lebanon Yemen Malaysia Azerbaijan

20 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 21 ISSF Flag & Games Oaths Duration 00:05:00

Overview Flagbearers Action Background notes This evening, athletes from more than 50 Ten outstanding sporting champions from The ISSF flag is The Islamic The OIC is the nations are united under one banner that Azerbaijan. carried into the Solidarity Sports world’s second largest represents them all – the flag of the Islamic Stadium by 10 Federation (ISSF) inter-governmental Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF). Namig Abdullayev Zemfira Azerbaijani sporting – a section of the organisation (after the Freestyle Wrestling Meftahatdinova champions. Organisation of United Nations), and The flag is carried into the Stadium by 10 Olympic gold medallist Shooting Islamic Cooperation has a membership of sporting champions from Azerbaijan, each at Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medallist (OIC) – is responsible 57 states across four of them an inspiration. at Sydney 2000 for the direction and continents. Irada Ashumova control of the Islamic It is then handed to 10 members of the armed Shooting Movlud Miraliyev Solidarity Games. forces and raised by three additional members. Olympic bronze medallist Judo The ISSF flag is They are all servicemen of the National Guard at Athens 2004 Olympic bronze medallist raised by servicemen. of the Special State Protection Service. The at Beijing 2008 Music ISSF flag flies beside the flag of the host Nazim Huseynov nation – the Republic of Azerbaijan. Judo Niyamaddin Pashayev Benjamin Britten’s Olympic gold medallist Taekwondo ‘Young Person’s Guide One athlete and one referee from Azerbaijan at Barcelona 1992 World Championship to the Orchestra’. then take oaths on behalf of everyone gold medallist participating in the Games, pledging honour at Jeju 2001 and fair play, honesty and integrity. Judo Olympic gold medallist Rafiga Shabanova Oaths are taken on Oath takers at Beijing 2008 Handball behalf of all the Olympic gold medallist athletes and referees. Fuad Aslanov at Montreal 1976 Taekwondo athlete Boxing referee Greco-Roman Olympic gold medallist Olympic bronze Wrestling Lyudmila Shubina at Rio 2016 medallist Olympic gold medallist Handball at Athens 2004 at Athens 2004 Olympic gold medallist at Montreal 1976

22 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 23 Let the Games Begin Duration 00:07:30

Overview Background notes Action After 20 months of careful planning Baku is a key city In 2020, three group Speeches by Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice and preparation involving the dedicated on the world stage, stage football matches President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and efforts of thousands, everything is ready. attracting landmark and a quarter-final Chair of the Baku 2017 Organising Committee; Our athletes are here. The moment has international events of the UEFA Euro Dr Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen come to open the Games. such as the inaugural Championship will Secretary General of the Organisation of European Games be held here in the Islamic Cooperation. Mehriban Aliyeva in 2015. Baku Olympic First Vice President of the Stadium. Republic of Azerbaijan This summer the and Azerbaijan Grand Chair of the Baku 2017 Organising Committee Prix will see Formula 1 Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic delivers a speech in Azerbaijani and English. cars racing through of Azerbaijan, declares the Games open. the streets of Baku. Dr Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Music Facts & stats delivers a speech in English. Fanfares for speeches 12,500 The Games are then declared open by the and the opening of pieces of pyrotechnics President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Games by are used during the Ilham Aliyev. Mike Dixon. Ceremony. Fireworks explode from the Stadium roof, spelling out ‘Baku 2017’ and lighting up Let the Fourth Islamic Solidarity Games begin! 200 the night sky. hours of programming to sychronise the fireworks with the Texts of the speeches will be available music. to download from the media extranet.

24 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 25 Unity Duration 00:01:43

Overview Cast Background Action Water is essential. It gives life to every living 57 volunteer notes A woman enters through the doors on to the thing. To embrace and accept is its nature. performers from Baku is famous for stage, holding a copper water vessel. Earlier And it has a quiet power. With patience and Azerbaijan carry its fountains, found this evening, she led the Azerbaijani team into persistence, water can smooth the hardest copper vessels in squares and parks the Stadium. stone. United, our many nations can share filled with waters across the city. these qualities – solidarity is our strength. representing the Fountains Square 57 members of the alone boasts more Tonight, the waters of more than 50 Islamic Islamic Solidarity than five, and there countries join together as a symbol of our Sports Federation. are two musical world living in harmony. This is the source fountains along the of our story. seaside Boulevard. She is joined by the other 56 water bearers from the Parade of Athletes. Together they represent the 57 members of the Facts & stats Solidarity Sports Federation.

Gara Garayev’s 8 The women pour water into the bowl, which ‘Seven Beauties, diameter in metres becomes a beautiful fountain. The Islamic (Dance of the of the copper water world is symbolically united. Maghrebian Beauty)’. bowl in the centre of the stage.

26 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 27 Harmony Duration 00:03:13

Overview Cast Facts & stats Action Our story begins. 120 cast join Mina in 85 x 35m Mina’s grandfather adds a ribbon to Philharmonia Garden, the width and height her kite. Mina, a little girl from Baku, plays in including 20 members of the projection Philharmonia Garden with her grandfather. of the Azerbaijan screen, lit by 130 He completes the kite she’s holding by adding State Children’s projectors. a fourth ribbon to its tail. Philharmonic. 12 She explores the beautiful park, sharing Mina’s grandfather is months taken to laughter and light with everyone and played by Nuraddin create the projections, everything around her. Happy, she wonders Mehdikhanli, a ranging from hyper- how to bring peace and harmony to the renowned stage real animations to Philharmonia Garden comes to life as whole world. and film actor and stunning cinematic Mina explores and plays. People’s Artist sequences. Her grandfather explains: to change the path of of the Republic our future, we must first understand our past. of Azerbaijan. And so he sends Mina on an exciting journey of See biographies p61. knowledge and discovery, with the kite as her friendly guide. Background Music notes Farhad Badalbeyli’s Mina waves goodbye to her grandfather An urban oasis ‘The Sea’. and, with her kite, leaves on a journey of established in the 19th knowledge and discovery. century beside the walls of Baku’s Old City, Philharmonia Garden today has a beautiful fountain at its heart.

28 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 29 Identity Duration 00:04:33

Overview Cast Facts & stats Action Background notes Mina magically flies far from Baku with her 4 aerialists hanging 9 Mina flies through the Recognised by The buta is an kite, across the ancient land of Azerbaijan to from large spiral kilometres of aerial air with four other UNESCO for their ancient almond- discover the age-old petroglyphs at . structures fly with lines in the flying performers, who hang outstanding universal shaped design Mina. system with a from spiral structures value, the Gobustan symbolising fire and Soaring over glorious landscapes, with capacity to carry and spin with silks, as petroglyphs are found on Azerbaijani eternal fires that burn from the ground at 70 women perform more than 5 tonnes. the Gobustan among humankind’s decorative artworks the Ateshgah and , with feathers. petroglyphs are first attempts to and architecture. Mina enters the world of myth to meet the 5 revealed on screen. understand and simurgh, a fantastical bird of many colours 20 performers do months of aerial record the world. Fire is a longstanding that she helps to hatch from its egg. amazing acrobatic fire training to play Mina. and important facet tricks. Mina finds the The simurgh is a of Azerbaijani Mina leaves with a beautiful feather – a gift 70 simurgh’s egg and mythical creature identity. The element from the grateful simurgh. If our little girl 2-metre-long feathers helps the chick to of Islamic literature appears in the very is ever in danger, burning the feather will Music appear on stage. hatch. She leaves said to possess the name Azerbaijan, bring her wondrous new friend to her side with one of the knowledge of all the which means ‘land of in an instant. Niyazi’s ‘Rast’ simurgh’s feathers. ages. Powerful and fire’ or ‘protector of symphonic mugham. benevolent, she is a the flame’. guardian of heroes.

Twenty people perform with fire, and lines of fire ignite in two pools to form buta shapes.

30 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 31 Belief Duration 00:04:36

Overview Cast Background Action The crescent moon rises over the Caspian Alim Qasimov, notes Alim Qasimov sings the call to prayer and the mesmerising voice of Alim Qasimov People’s Artist of The Heydar Mosque from the top of a minaret. – legendary mugham singer of Azerbaijan Azerbaijan, is a in Baku is the largest and the world – rings out from the top of living legend of the in the Caucasus a minaret. mugham tradition, region. Completed and one of the in 2014, it was This is the call to prayer. It draws Mina world’s great singers. constructed in just towards the Heydar Mosque, a magnificent He was awarded two years. place of devotion and tolerance where all the prestigious denominations of Islam can pray together International Music in unity. Council – UNESCO Facts & stats Mina is drawn towards the Heydar Music Prize in 1999. Mosque. She is joined by hundreds of Hundreds more people, holding lamps, are See biographies p61. 28 people holding lamps. Beautiful illuminated drawn in by the power of Islam. The flames height in metres of patterns are formed by the moving lamps. of their faith flicker and swirl before Mina’s the two minarets eyes like stars in a galaxy. Music either side of the stage. Islamic call to prayer arranged and 260 performed by people perform, each Alim Qasimov. holding a lamp.

Alakbar Taghiyev’s ‘You Didn’t Come’ plays as we see the intricate interiors of the Heydar Mosque on screen.

32 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 33 Purity Duration 00:02:20

Overview Music Facts & stats Action Water has a great power, to cleanse. In Islam, Jane Antonia 3 A film plays on the it forms an essential part of prayer, a path to Cornish & Daniel locations where screens showing purity of body and spirit. We are all different, Heath’s ‘Written in filming took place for people of all ages but the rituals and knowledge we share bind the Stars’. tonight’s Ceremony: from across the us together. Azerbaijan, Islamic world going and the Philippines. about the rituals Wherever we come from or go, whatever our of daily life. colour or gender, however old we are or young, water is a universal connection. It reminds us, across great distances and in all our diversity, that we are united in our beliefs and our humanity.

34 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 35 Knowledge Duration of Knowledge scenes 00:11:04

Overview Facts & stats Music And now, a new adventure. The Islamic Golden Age, roughly the 570 40+ 32 Fikret Amirov’s 7th to 17th centuries, was a period people perform animals – horses, bicyles are used to ‘One Thousand and Mina travels back in time and across the world of tremendous cultural and scientific in Knowledge. camels and donkeys move some of the One Nights’ is heard to come face to face with intrepid travellers, advancement, bursting with ideas and – appear in this larger scenic items throughout this ornate domes, enchanting poets, the universe inventions that shaped our world. section. Trained on and off the stage. tribute to the Islamic beyond our planet, and ingenious mechanical for three months Golden Age. devices. These are among the treasures of In the hands of the open-minded and curious, to perform in the the Islamic Golden Age when extraordinary Islamic civilisation became a vehicle for Ceremony, they are advances in human civilisation were made unprecedented intellectual discovery, and looked after in stables in areas such as exploration, architecture, the Golden Age left its mark on just about built specially for literature, astronomy and invention. everything. The books we read, the music them at the Stadium. we play, the words we speak, the numbers we count, the buildings we use, the science we depend on – all were shaped, at least in part, by Islam.

Islamic civilisation was multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, optimistic, curious and literate, brimming with cutting-edge science and technology.

36 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 37 Knowledge: Caravanserai

Overview Background notes Action Mina’s journey begins in a bustling Carpets have been Three traditional Mina arrives on stage on a white horse. caravanserai – a place where the flow of made in Azerbaijan Azerbaijani musical commerce, culture and knowledge spread since the 2nd century instruments appear across a network of trade routes covering large BC. Their geometric in this scene: a wind parts of Asia, North , Europe and the patterns, vivid colours instrument called a Middle East. and craftsmanship , the stringed are recognised around kamanche played Over 70 performers, a large trade wagon, live the world. In 2010, with a bow, and a horses and camels, and puppet eagles and UNESCO added folk drum with a hawks bring the scene to life. Azerbaijani carpet double head called weaving to their list the naghara. 16 horses perform in unison, creating a of Intangible Cultural pin-wheel and crossing paths. Heritage. Facts & stats Elements drawn from the cultural 300+ heritage of every props give a sense nation participating of time and place, in the Games all play including: carpets their part in this and fabrics, musical celebration of the instruments, Mina, carrying her kite, interacts with the Islamic Golden Age. miniature paintings, caravanserai traders and travellers. She stops They appear on stage books and scrolls, to admire Azerbaijani carpets and musical as characters, scenic tea and coffee, instruments. pieces, props and fanous lanterns, costumes, as well fruit, salt and nuts, as on screen. coins and gems, miswak toothbrushes, and perfume bottles.

38 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 39 Knowledge: Exploration

Overview Background notes Action Flying through the air on her loyal kite, Notable works Dhows, traditional sailing vessels with Mina has much to learn. (1141–1209) was include The Five distinctive triangular sails, were originally celebrated for his Jewels (Khamsa): five used for simple tasks, such as fishing. As the In the words of Nizami Ganjavi, one of the romantic epic poetry long narrative poems, Arabian and Islamic population expanded and great poets of Azerbaijan and the world… and wisdom including Leyli and began an intense system of trade with the rest literature. Majnun. of the known world, the use of dhows also Seek knowledge, for through knowledge grew and they were adapted for commerce. you’ll close and open every door. Whoever is not ashamed to learn Facts & stats draws pearls from the water, rubies from the rock. 3 4 One of Islam’s greatest astronomical diameter in metres of height in metres of contributions was the perfection of the During the Islamic Golden Age, people loved the kite Mina sits on, the armillary sphere. armillary sphere. It was used to tell time, to travel and learn. flying through the air. predict sunrises and sunsets, survey land and 15 calculate the height of buildings. It was the Seafarers developed maps and course-plotting 30 diameter in metres equivalent of a medieval calculator. instruments, and became master navigators sails, between 2.5 and of Al-Idrisi’s circular – important for both discovering more about 4m high, are carried map, unfurled by 16 the world around them and building strong or cycled onto the performers. trade routes. stage to recreate dhow boats. One of the most famous maps from the period was produced in 1154 by cartographer, Al-Idrisi – circular, it’s drawn with south at the top as was common for the time.

40 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 41 Knowledge: Architecture

Overview Facts & stats Background Action Islamic civilisation revolutionised world 9 notes Islamic architecture is utterly distinct: architecture with the development of domes, height in metres of Baku has recently a skyline of minarets and domes. We see a minarets, caravanserai and madrasas – the large blue dome. continued, and large blue dome on stage tonight, framed providing places of communal gathering, contributed to, this by our two minarets. stately residence and humble homes. legacy of Islamic heritage: the city Smaller domes and arches feature exquisite Over time, the easy movement of artisans added to its own fine fretwork – interlaced geometric designs led to the exchange of artistic ideas and array of architecture common throughout Islamic architecture. techniques. Creative impulses were channeled by building the towards decoration and ornamentation in stunning Heydar all forms of artistic expression – ordered Mosque in 2014 – repetition, radiating structures and rhythmic the largest mosque patterns, striking calligraphy, exuberant in the Caucasus. decoration and rich colours.

42 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 43 Knowledge: Literature

Overview Cast Facts & stats Action Islamic civilisation – based on the sacred text Acrobatic horse 3 A large spiral of books represents the House of Wisdom, an intellectual of Islam, the Quran which means ‘the reading’ riders trained at the height in metres of powerhouse in Baghdad during the 9th to 13th centuries that played a – greatly valued literature. A particular kind Equestrian Federation the three large books major part in the spread and development of knowledge. of literature became its hallmark: ‘Adab’, of Azerbaijan perform on stage. which came to imply the sum of intellectual for us tonight. Al-Farabi, a renowned 9th-century polymath, stands on the book spiral. knowledge that makes one courteous and 5 He spent most of his life in Baghdad and established logic within Islamic urbane. great Golden Age culture, which earned him the name ‘the Second Teacher’, Aristotle poets of Azerbaijan being ‘the First’. During the Golden Age, literature wasn’t are celebrated in just confined to the elite and educated; oral tonight’s Ceremony: performances of stories of the Prophets and Fizuli Ali Baba runs from the 40 thieves and makes his thrilling escape on tales from One Thousand and One Nights horseback. The folk tale Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is one of the found large audiences among ordinary people. most famous from One Thousand and One Nights. The tales’ variety and geographical range of Ganjavi origin – including modern day Iran, Iraq, Nizami Ganjavi Egypt and Turkey – make single authorship unlikely. More likely, the work was collected over many centuries by various authors, translators and scholars.

As Islam spread beyond Turkic, Arabic and Large books on stage are tributes to great writers of Islamic civilisation. Persian speaking regions, the literature of Islamic civilisation came to include works in Omar Khayyám (born 1048 in Nishapur, present day Iran) was a languages as diverse as Swahili and Chinese. mathematician, astronomer and poet, renowned in his own country and time for his scientific achievements, and today for his influential poetry.

Mahsati Ganjavi (born 1089 in Ganja, Azerbaijan) is known for her philosophical and love quatrains (rubáiyát), glorifying the joy of living and the fullness of love.

44 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 45 Knowledge: Astronomy

Overview Cast Facts & stats Action During the Islamic Golden Age, scholars and 24 female dancers 8.5 A giant model of the solar system is created on stage with the sun, scientists used observatories and instruments from the Azerbaijan height in metres the the earth and moon, and five more planets. – such as astrolabes, quadrants and sextants State Ensemble sun rises above the – to study the heavens. They refined the perform in cloaks stage. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn were visible to the prevailing knowledge of their times to use the printed with star unaided eye and therefore known to astronomers during the Golden sky as a tool for understanding time, space and charts. Age, before the invention of the telescope. Uranus and Neptune humanity’s place in the cosmos. were discovered in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Astronomers recorded and named more than 1,000 stars during the period. Today 166 stars are known worldwide by their Arabic names. Bicycles on stage celebrate the quadrant.

The quadrant was one of the most important astronomical and navigational instruments used by scientists and scholars in Islamic culture. It was used to determine the height of a celestial body above the horizon.

Large wheels show the phases of the moon.

Scientists and scholars of the Golden Age understood that lunar phases – the shape of the illuminated portion of the moon – change as the moon orbits the earth, and the moon’s rotation is tidally locked by earth’s gravity. The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle.

46 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 47 Knowledge: Invention

Overview Facts & stats Action Working collaboratively, Golden Age men and 90 Cogs feature here in honour of the mechanical women from different regions, cultures and total number of cogs inventions and turbine technologies of the backgrounds built upon the knowledge they featured on stage, Golden Age. drew from previous civilisations and, in turn, including geared passed on their achievements for the benefit cogs on bicycles. A variety of highly-accurate astronomical of future generations. clocks for use in mosques and observatories 9 were constructed during the period, including One of the greatest inventors and mechanical height of the Elephant the first geared clock. engineers of the time was Al-Jazari. His Book Clock in metres. of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices By the 11th century, mills operated throughout (1206) describes 100 pieces of equipment. the Islamic world. The invention of water turbines meant many industrial tasks were Among the most intriguing is the Elephant mechanised. Clock – a towering work of mechanical innovation. It features Greek water-raising The Elephant Clock appears, carrying two know-how, an Indian elephant, an Egyptian performers, and all the action freezes. phoenix, Arabian figures and Chinese dragons. Today we would regard it as a celebration of Mina, sitting on her flying kite, drops a ball global diversity. representing the moon into the serpent’s mouth and the Elephant Clock activates. The serpent tips down to reset the mechanism, and Knowledge comes to an end…

48 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 49 Dream Duration 00:05:43

Overview Cast Music Action Background notes A sudden sandstorm sweeps everything from 24 female dancers Arif Melikov’s During the In folklore, the the stage. from the Azerbaijan ‘The Legend of Love’. sandstorm, Mina simurgh acted as a State Ensemble burns the feather guardian of heroes, Mina is left feeling lost and afraid for the first perform in cloaks given to her by the who were given time on her journey. But she has the feather during the sandstorm. simurgh. magical feathers to of the simurgh and in a flash of flame her burn in moments of fantastical friend appears, flying down to her distress or desperate aid. Mina is lifted high into the sky to safety need, to call her. – above the storm, above the clouds, up among the constellations. The simurgh comes to Facts & stats When we help one another, we are free to Mina’s aid. Together dream, to become the best we can be. they fly over glorious 15 We can reach the stars. landscapes. the simurgh’s wingspan in metres.

750 weight of the simurgh in kilograms.

Gold-dust shimmers 785 off the wings of the number of little simurgh. In the end lights, like stars, on she disappears into the simurgh’s body. the starry sky.

50 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 51 Joy Duration 00:02:21

Overview Background notes Action Everything she has learned about her culture Gymnastics has The six promising Mina dances with and faith, her heritage and self has Mina steadily grown and highly-skilled the kite. bursting with joy – all thanks to the beautiful in popularity in rhythmic gymnasts kite, her constant companion on this Azerbaijan in recent who play Mina are adventure. years. The country already representing regularly hosts Azerbaijan at As the pair dance together in friendship, European and international Mina thinks of her grandfather. She misses World Gymnastics competitions. him. The time has come to head home. Championships at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku.

Cast Music Facts & stats Mina pulls a ribbon from the kite’s tail Three puppeteers Uzeyir Hajibayli’s 5 and performs a bring the kite (and its ‘Ashug-style’. different forms are The kites use carbon rhythmic gymnastics tail) to life. taken by the kite on fibre technology, a routine. Mina’s journey: from lightweight material a small handheld one, used by NASA that is to a 7-metre-long stronger than steel engineered aerial by cubic centimetre. piece. The puppet kite we see here is 2.5 metres in diameter.

52 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 53 Hope Duration 00:03:46

Overview Action Background notes Flying through Baku with her kite, Baku buildings that appear on screen: We begin at the The Azerbaijan The ‘land of fire’ Mina sees her birthplace in a new light. Carpet Museum, Carpet Museum, inspired the iconic on the shores of completed in 2014, Flame Towers Beyond the pretty city parks where she Nizami Museum of the Caspian Sea. houses an extensive – three distinctive plays, Mina finds many beautiful buildings, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences collection of world- buildings on a hillside old and new. Proud historic and renowned Azerbaijani above Baku’s Old City, towers at the city’s heart, as well as Maiden Tower carpets, proclaimed completed in 2012. architectural masterpieces of the modern of the ‘Masterpieces of day – places of culture and commerce, Palace of Marriage Registration Intangible Heritage’ The magnificentBaku thrilling sport and entertainment, (formerly the ) by UNESCO. Olympic Stadium, cutting-edge enterprise and learning. of Baku & A performer in a completed in 2015, Seven Beauties Musical Fountain flowing white dress The Heydar Aliyev can seat 68,700 Her future is here. Home for Mina is a Heydar Aliyev Centre mirrors the swooping Centre in Baku is spectators and is place of hope. Heydar Aliyev International Airport lines of the Heydar an award-winning the perfect setting Baku Aquatics Centre Aliyev Centre. building for for major football Caspian Waterfront Mall contemporary culture and athletics designed by Zaha championships, as Flame Towers Hadid and completed well as large-scale in 2012. concerts and events. Baku Olympic Stadium Having seen more Music than a dozen architectural gems Gara Garayev’s across the city, the ‘Seven Beauties, action ends at the Waltz’. Baku Olympic Stadium.

54 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 55 Inspiration Duration 00:03:43

Overview Cast Facts & stats Action On her thrilling journey, Mina has discovered 700 performers 180,000 Mina flies above 700 her identity and beliefs, understood the holding kites in litres of water in the performers holding fundamental unity of humankind, and the colours of two pools on stage. kites. Hundreds of gathered the gift of knowledge from her Azerbaijan’s flag – thousands of tiny heritage. She has caught sight of her dreams, blue, red and green. 10 hexagon kites flutter felt the joy of real friendship, and filled her height in metres the down over the heart with hope for the future. 20 fire perfomers. water jets on stage audience. reach up into the air. Overflowing with the light of all she has 10 performers spin learned, Mina wants to share the shining on Catherine wheels, 150 spirit of the kite with the world. And there including four in kilos of confetti in the is more than enough inspiration for everyone. the air. shape of tiny hexagon kites falls over the Music audience. Catherine wheels on the ground and in the Vasif Adigozalov’s air ignite and spin, ‘Piano Concerto No. 4’ as fireworks light up the night sky above the Stadium.

56 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 57 Peace Duration 00:07:34

Overview Music Action Background notes And so we are back where our story began, We say goodbye Fikret Amirov’s Together with her Ten days of world- Join us on Monday to the quiet of Philharmonia Garden. to Mina and her ‘Azerbaijan Capriccio’ grandfather once class sport is about 22 May for the grandfather to the plays as fireworks again after her long to begin, with over Closing Ceremony Mina is happily reunited with her proud sounds of Farhad blaze over the journey, Mina sets her 2,800 athletes of of the Baku 2017 grandfather. Grateful for her new-found Badalbeyli’s Stadium. kite free to fly out of the Islamic World Islamic Solidarity knowledge, she sends her friendly guide on ‘The Sea’. the Stadium. competing across Games, when we a new journey, to spread peace and harmony And during the 20 sports for more will celebrate the to the whole world. The kite flies free, high fireworks display over than 1,500 medals. great achievements in the sky for all to see… the Caspian we hear of our athletes. Ogtay Zulfugarov’s The Ceremony ends with incredible firework ‘Holiday Overture’. Fireworks over Facts & stats displays over both the Stadium and the Baku the Baku Olympic Caspian seafront. Stadium. 5,000 hours taken to create the spectacular pyrotechnics displays of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Fireworks over the Caspian Sea, along the .

58 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 59 Credits Principal performers

Seljan Hazizadeh Nuraddin Alim Qasimov Natig Shirinov Nazrin Jafarzadeh Mehtikhanli Mugham Vocalist Percussionist Maryam Safarova Grandfather One of the foremost The greatest drum Farida Safiyarzadeh Trained at the State musicians and singers player to have emerged in Azerbaijan, Alim is from the Caucasus, Natig Narmina Samadova University of Culture and Arts, Nuraddin is a acclaimed as a great voice has revolutionised nagara Eleonora Yusifova renowned actor for stage of the world. His music percussion technique to Mina and screen. A permanent is characterised by vocal become Azerbaijan’s Seljan, Nazrin, Maryam, troupe member at the State improvisation and foremost rhythm composer. Farida, Narmina and Academic Drama Theatre represents an evolution Today, he amazes audiences Eleonora are six promising for almost 40 years, he of the traditional mugham with his creative energies, and highly-skilled young has appeared in numerous art form. He was made award-winning athletes. As members of theatre productions and People’s Artist of the performances and the national rhythmic feature films. He was made Republic of Azerbaijan innovative compositions, gymnastics team, they’re People’s Artist of the in 1993, and awarded the all beating to the rhythms already representing Republic of Azerbaijan in prestigious International of his soul. Azerbaijan at international 2002 for his contribution Music Council UNESCO competitions. After months to the arts. Music Prize in 1999. of special training and rehearsals, this is their first appearance as actors and aerial performers. They’re excited to be part of the Ceremony, and hope to represent their country as proud competitors at the next Islamic Solidarity Games.

60 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 61 Baku 2017 executive Ceremonies team

Azad Rahimov Nigar Efendi Elchin Safarov Catherine Ugwu Nathan M. Wright Kate Hinchliffe Mark Smith Chief Executive Officer Chief of Staff Corporate Director Director of Ceremonies Artistic Director Producer Head of Business

Over a 30-year career, Azad Nigar (Nikki) has 20 years Elchin started his career & Executive Producer Nathan is a choreographer Kate has worked as a & Finance has held senior roles at the of leadership experience at as an accountant and has Catherine is a producer, and director who’s worked producer in the creative Mark qualified as a Khatai District Committee BP. She holds two degrees: over 20 years’ experience creative director and extensively on ceremonies, industry for over 10 years. Chartered Accountant at of the Youth Union in English Philology from in finance, including senior consultant with more stage and screen. Career Highlights include live Deloitte before devoting (Komsomol), the Youth the Azerbaijan University roles in the oil industry. than 20 years’ experience highlights include events for Save the seven years of award- Organisations Committee of Languages, and in Law He holds two degrees: in delivering some of the choreographies for the Children, NBCUniversal, winning work to the of Azerbaijan, Ros-Imesko, from the Russian State Pedagogy from the Baku world’s largest and most Sochi 2014 and Thomson Reuters, planning, implementation and the Italdizain Group. Social University. She was Slavic University, and in prestigious events. Founder 2012 Olympic Ceremonies. Samsung, Vodafone and the and successful delivery of Appointed Minister of Business Administration Finance and Credit from of Betty Productions Ltd, On London’s West End World Islamic Economic the London 2012 Olympic Youth and Sport and Vice Director of the Baku 2015 the Azerbaijan State she was most recently he’s choreographed such Forum. Kate first turned and Paralympic Games, President of the Azerbaijan European Games. Nikki Economic University. Director of Ceremonies for shows as High Society and her attention to Ceremonies and Handover Ceremony National Olympic was awarded the State Elchin was awarded the the Baku 2015 European Rocky Horror, garnering at the London 2012 at Beijing 2008. He Committee in 2006, he Medal of Progress for her Honorary Diploma of the Games, and Executive numerous award Olympic and Paralympic subsequently served as a also served as CEO of the contribution to Azerbaijan’s for Producer of the London nominations. Nathan’s film Games, and went on to trusted financial advisor Baku 2015 European oil and gas industry, and his work as the Baku 2015 2012 Olympic Ceremonies. credits include Happy Feet produce the Flame Capture at the BBC, and Head of Games. Azad was awarded the Honorary Diploma of European Games’ Corporate Other credits include the as a motion capture artist Ceremony and city-centre Finance for the Ceremonies the Olympic Order in 2014, the President of Azerbaijan Director. He is proud father Vancouver 2010 Olympics, and two collaborations Torch Relay of the Baku of both the Baku 2015 and the Order of Glory by for her work on Baku 2015. to two Baku 2017 Delhi 2010 and Manchester with Baz Luhrmann – . European Games and the the President of Azerbaijan volunteers. 2002 Commonwealth the Wicked-Faced Boy UAE National Day 2015 in 2015. Games, and Doha 2006 in Moulin Rouge! and (Abu Dhabi). . Catherine associate choreographer was awarded an MBE for for The Great Gatsby. her work on London 2012, and the State Order of Friendship by the President of Azerbaijan for her contribution to Baku 2015.

Baku 2017 Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and Journey from the Caspian events created and produced by Betty Productions Ltd. betty-productions.com

62 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 63 Ceremonies team

Adam Bassett Tim Chappel Mike Dixon Phil Hayes Richard Lindsay Michael Peña Joanna Scotcher Scott Willsallen Lighting Designer Costume Designer Music Director Aerial Choreographer Visual Content Director Head of Choreography Production Designer Audio Designer Trained at the Central Tim is an award-winning Mike is one of the most Phil is a veteran aerial Richard – founder of Artists Michael began his career Joanna is an award- Scott – director of Auditoria School of Speech and costume designer for screen experienced and respected director, choreographer, in Motion – is a renowned as a professional dancer winning production Pty Ltd – is a leading expert Drama, Adam set up his and stage. His designs for musical forces in London’s consultant and performer creative director for – touring with such artists designer based in London. in audio design for major own design practice in The Adventures of Priscilla, West End and on British with 13 years’ specialised visionary experience as Paul McCartney and Trained at the Royal international broadcast 2004, creating lighting Queen of the Desert earned television and radio. experience in harness work media. Ceremonies credits Rihanna – before Shakespeare Company events. Design credits for large-scale events, him an Oscar. He went on His work spans all genres for large-scale spectacles. include the Vancouver 2010 establishing himself as a (RSC), her work goes include Ceremonies for the stage and architecture. to work on such films as of music as conductor, He’s staged flying and Beijing 2008 Olympics, choreographer for stage beyond the theatre stage Sochi 2014, London 2012, In 2013, he joined long- Miss Congeniality and arranger and composer. choreographies for Baku 2015 European and screen. His Ceremonies to encompass immersive Vancouver 2010 and Athens time collaborator Patrick The Dressmaker, and music He regularly conducts the Ceremonies at the Sochi Games and Doha 2006 credits include the Sochi performance and site- 2004 Olympics, Baku 2015 Woodroffe to found videos for Cher and Missy Royal Philharmonic 2014, London 2012, Asian Games. Richard has 2014 Olympics and Rose specific set design, inhabiting European Games, Doha Woodroffe Bassett Design. Elliot. Turning his attention Orchestra and BBC Concert Vancouver 2010 and Athens also created visual content Parade 2015. In 2016, spaces intimate to epic. 2011 Pan Arab Games, Entertainment credits to numerous musical Orchestra, and has been the 2004 Olympics, Baku for such live spectaculars Michael choreographed Joanna’s diverse output Delhi 2010 and Melbourne include the London 2012 theatre productions in original musical director/ 2015 European Games, as Sydney Opera House the Grand Opening of the includes commissions by 2006 Commonwealth Ceremonies, and concerts Australia brought Tim supervisor for many Guadalajara 2011 Pan VIVID Live 2016, Hong Shanghai Disney Resort, Kensington Palace, the RSC, Games, Singapore 2010 for the Rolling Stones, more accolades, including internationally-acclaimed American Games and Doha Kong Pulse 3D Light Shows a new show for Old Vic and Covent Garden, Youth Olympics and Doha and the Queen’s a Tony and an Olivier. productions, including 2006 Asian Games, and (2014-16), Clusters of Disneyland, and the Italian productions at the Young 2006 Asian Games. Scott Golden Jubilee. Adam has We Will Rock You, The many one-off events such Light Sharjah (2014) and production of American Vic, Royal Court and was awarded a Daytime also designed numerous Bodyguard, Grease and as Qatar’s 2010 Nakilat DreamWorks’ How to Idiot The Musical. Roundhouse, and the Baku Emmy for his work on installations, from Jesus Christ Superstar. Shipyard Inauguration Train Your Dragon (2012). 2015 European Games Baku 2015. exhibitions to landmark and 77 Mta Celebration. Flame Capture Ceremony. building illuminations.

64 Embargo: 12 May 2017, 22:00 (Baku time) 65 Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games and the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation would like to thank the following companies and organisations for their support.

OFFICIAL PARTNERS

OFFICIAL SUPPORTERS

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