Gala evening Press Release

ITALY DAYS IN BAKU 1st European Games 12 – 28 giugno 2015

Gala evening in honour of Italian Sport Italian athletes are loved and feared in equal measure all over the world.

Next June they will be in Baku, the fascinating capital of Azerbaijan, on the Caspian Sea, taking part in the first European Olympic Games. After this first edition, the Games, like most major sporting events, will be staged every four years at different venues.

The city has been preparing for the event with the utmost fervour, building new and ultra-modern sports facilities, and even altering the opening hours of public and private offices while the Games are held, so as to reduce traffic congestion.

Over 6,000 athletes will be taking part in the event organised by the European Olympic Committee, representing National Olympic Committees from all over Europe and competing over 17 days in 20 sports and 30 different disciplines, 24 of which Olympic disciplines.

ITAZERCOM (Italy-Azerbaijan Trade Institute) has been working successfully for some time to raise the quality of trade relations between the two countries. To mark the Games it will be hosting a Gala Evening in honour of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) on Saturday 20 June, at the Business Center in the heart of the city, built by the renowned architecture firm Chapman Taylor on the Boulevard flanking the Caspian Sea. The event has been conceived and organised by Pino Pietrolucci, and has the backing of the Italian Embassy in Baku, the Embassy of the Azerbaijan Republic in Italy and ICE (Italian Institute for Foreign Trade), plus the support of organisations and businesses that have been (or intend to in the near future) developing ties between Italy and Azerbaijan. It will be attended by institutional guests, many of our athletes and representatives from the media and the world of business of both countries. Outside the building they will be able to admire the most prestigious FERRARI, MASERATI, LAMBORGHINI and DUCATI vehicle models, which will be enhanced by spectacular lighting, and a light show covering the facade of the building, which will be visible all along the Promenade. This large-scale “set” will be created

by Italian company PROIETTA, which since 2013 has been lighting up the night-time F1 Grand Prix race staged in Singapore, and has recently provided lighting for the event ITALY DAYS IN BAKU – MODENA. Inside the vast hall guests will be able to go back in time, thanks to oversize cinema screens, and view many unforgettable sporting moments that enabled Italy to make its mark in the history of international sport: the best performances, Olympic records, historical victories.

In the panoramic room on the first floor, looking out onto the Caspian Sea and the thousand lights of the city, traditional welcome addresses from dignitaries present, introduced by ITAZERCOM President Manuela Traldi, will be followed by a gala dinner, comprised solely of typical Italian dishes, chosen and created by a renowned chef invited from Italy especially for the occasion. The live concert “Napoletana” will conclude the gala with Mariangela D’abbraccio and her ensemble “Musica da ripostiglio”. The same concert was the final event of the XXX Olympiad in Casa Italia at London Queen Elizabeth II Conference Center.

As already mentioned, the event will have the support of Main Sponsors and Technical Sponsors, from both countries, who will be given visibility and the following benefits:

Pino Pietrolucci Member of the Executive Board