The 15th Summer European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) will be held in Baku in 2019.

The European Youth Olympic Festival is held under the auspices of the IOC and is the pride of the European Olympic Committees with 25 years of tradition. EYOF is the first top European multi-sport event for young athletes aged 14 to 18. There is a winter and summer edition that is held in two-year cycles, in odd-numbered years. EYOF belongs to the European Olympic Committees (EOC) and has all the features prescribed by the Olympic Charter.

The event is held under the Olympic flag and is rich in Olympic traditions: from flame to flame of athletes and officials. At EYOF, many of Europe’s inspiring sports stars of tomorrow are taking their first steps on the international stage. And while some may enjoy EYOF as a stepping stone to Olympic greatness, everyone involved takes home new friendships and lifelong experiences.

At the EYOF in Baku, 3600 competitors from 50 European countries are expected. EYOF symbolically unites the youth of Europe in one sports village. It is the gateway to the Olympics, with many medal winners winning medals at the Olympics giving super-young athletes the first taste of an Olympic event, while encouraging more young people to play sports and lead healthy lives.

The event will take place from July 21 to 27, 2019. The program will include ten sports for the summer EYOF: athletics, gymnastics, judo, wrestling, cycling, basketball, tennis, volleyball, handball, swimming.

The BH team will perform in 5 sports at these games: athletics, judo, cycling, tennis and swimming.

Interesting facts about Azerbaijan:

This is the Land of Fire and the pearl of the Caucasus, a country in which the eastern colors merge magnificently with the western progress. Azerbaijan is a country of unique nature, unsurpassed culture, centuries of history with its customs and traditions; a place that will meet the expectations of the most sophisticated gastronomes; and finally, it is a land of Caucasian hospitality and kindness.

Azerbaijan is located on the eastern side of the Western Caucasus on the shores of the Caspian Sea. The population of Azerbaijan exceeds 9.8 million, and the territory covers an area of ​​86,600 square kilometers.

For centuries, the country has been at the crossroads of continents and civilizations. With countries encompassing Europe and Asia, it is a commercial, political and cultural bridge between east and west, north and south.

A historical part of the Great Silk Road, Azerbaijan has long aroused the interests of great minds, scientists, travelers and historians. References to this wondrous land can be found in the ancient writings of Herodotus, Strabo and Claudius Ptolemy. Azerbaijan has an incredible historical and cultural heritage with more than 7,500 natural, archaeological, architectural and historical monuments. Cave drawings in Gobustan, Momine-Khatun and Mausoleum in Garabaghlar, Sheki Khans Palace, Maiden Tower, Abshern castles, medieval manuscripts decorated with magnificent miniature paintings, antique carpets, and works of literature, art and sculpture - all this is not just a small part of the rich countries.

The official language of the country is Azerbaijani, but Russian, English and colloquial Turkish are widespread throughout the country, with English becoming increasingly popular mainly in large cities.

Interesting facts about Baku:

Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan

Area: 2,130 km²

Elevation: -28 m

Population of the metropolitan area: 4,670,740

Declared a World Heritage Site: 2000

Baku lies on the west coast of the Caspian Sea on the south side of the Absheron Peninsula along the shores of the vast Baku Bay. The port of Baku is the best in the Caspian Sea, as the hills of the Absheron Peninsula protect it from strong northern winds. Precisely because of this, the name of the city - Baku, probably comes from the distorted Persian words bād-kube meaning “raised in the mountain winds”.

What to see in Baku? - Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, with, as the census says today, more than 3 million inhabitants, is the largest city in the Caucasus, and probably the most modern and advanced. Baku is the flagship of Azerbaijan's economic growth and the alpha and omega of their empire. The city with which the ruling structure of the country shows the world how modern and prosperous Azerbaijan is.

Baku is perhaps the most beautiful old city you will see in this part of the world. Perfectly preserved. Wherever you go, you will be greeted by a cultural monument or museum, and in the background, the Flame Towers, which are the most recognizable image of this country, appear from almost every point in the city. These are three skyscrapers, 182 meters high, which house apartments, offices, as well as a luxury hotel. They were completed in 2012. However, towers have become planetarily popular because of the LED screens that are installed in them. As many as 10,000 of them create a kind of visual spectacle every night.

The Maiden Tower, better known as Giz Galasi, is something you will first notice at the entrance to the old town. This is somehow the first proof that Baku was not created by multimillionaire oilmen, and that the city has a rich history behind it. As soon as you pass the tower, you enter the old town. Old Baku, is a real contrast to the new. The sandy color of the old buildings is broken by various bazaars and shops, where you will find 1000 colors and scents.

Oil Country - Baku is the first city in history where oil has been exploited and processed. First ever! No one before them started making millions on black treasure. Not Arabs or Norway, but Azeri. It happened in 1847, when oil first exploded on Bibi-Ejbat. That is when its exploitation in an industrial way began. Later, in 1872, the Nobel brothers established the world's first oil company in Baku.

Baku as a center of international events

Baku is firmly established as a key city on the world stage. Open and tolerant, it is a global center for intercultural dialogue and cooperation, bringing together political, cultural, sports and religious leaders from around the world on a regular basis.

Baku has also hosted significant international events, such as Eurovision 2012, the First European Games in 2015, the Islamic Games of Solidarity in 2017, and annually since 2016, the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan.