Fortuna Music Contest #15 • Baku, Azerbaijan
Jul 17, 2023 14:35:04 GMT 1
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Post by Kenajabam on Jul 17, 2023 14:35:04 GMT 1
Some details about the fifteenth edition of the Fortuna Music Contest have been revealed in a press-conference today.
HOST CITY
Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region. Baku is 28 metres below sea level, which makes it the lowest lying national capital in the world and also the largest city in the world below sea level. Baku lies on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, on the Bay of Baku. Baku's urban population was estimated at two million people as of 2009. Baku is the primate city of Azerbaijan - it is the sole metropolis in the country, and about 25% of all inhabitants of the country live in Baku's metropolitan area.
Baku is divided into twelve administrative raions and 48 townships. Among these are the townships on the islands of the Baku Archipelago, as well as the industrial settlement of Neft Daşları built on oil rigs 60 kilometres away from Baku city in the Caspian Sea. The old city, containing the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
The city is the scientific, cultural, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan. Many sizeable Azerbaijani institutions have their headquarters there. In the 2010s, Baku became a venue for major international events. It hosted the 57th Eurovision Song Contest in 2012, the 2015 European Games, 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, the European Grand Prix in 2016, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix since 2017, the final of the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League, and was one of the host cities for UEFA Euro 2020. The Baku International Sea Trade Port is capable of handling two million tonnes of general and dry bulk cargoes per year. Baku is renowned for its harsh winds, reflected in its nickname, the "City of Winds".
Baku is divided into twelve administrative raions and 48 townships. Among these are the townships on the islands of the Baku Archipelago, as well as the industrial settlement of Neft Daşları built on oil rigs 60 kilometres away from Baku city in the Caspian Sea. The old city, containing the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
The city is the scientific, cultural, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan. Many sizeable Azerbaijani institutions have their headquarters there. In the 2010s, Baku became a venue for major international events. It hosted the 57th Eurovision Song Contest in 2012, the 2015 European Games, 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, the European Grand Prix in 2016, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix since 2017, the final of the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League, and was one of the host cities for UEFA Euro 2020. The Baku International Sea Trade Port is capable of handling two million tonnes of general and dry bulk cargoes per year. Baku is renowned for its harsh winds, reflected in its nickname, the "City of Winds".
ARENA
Baku Crystal Hall (Azerbaijani: Bakı Kristal Zalı) is an indoor arena in Baku, Azerbaijan. It is located on the coast of Baku near National Flag Square. Construction of the arena began in August 2011 and finished in April 2012—in time for it to host its first major event, the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. The hall has 12,000 seats but can accommodate 27,000 people. The building has a crystalline shape and illuminated façade with numerous LED lights. The LED lights were upgraded to allow different dynamic lighting scenarios that can highlight the membrane façade and create moods appropriate for different events.
Baku Crystal Hall's first major event was the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, held at the arena from 22 May to 26 May 2012. Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and Rihanna performed concerts at Baku Crystal Hall later in 2012. Local singer Aygün Kazımova had a concert on 22 September 2017. Christina Aguilera performed a sold-out concert on April 28, 2018. On 28 May 2018, a gala concert to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was held in Crystal Hall. Baku Crystal Hall hosted boxing, karate, taekwondo, fencing and volleyball (indoor) events during the inaugural 2015 European Games. Other sporting events include boxing and volleyball at the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games and the 2023 World Taekwondo Championships.
Baku Crystal Hall's first major event was the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, held at the arena from 22 May to 26 May 2012. Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and Rihanna performed concerts at Baku Crystal Hall later in 2012. Local singer Aygün Kazımova had a concert on 22 September 2017. Christina Aguilera performed a sold-out concert on April 28, 2018. On 28 May 2018, a gala concert to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was held in Crystal Hall. Baku Crystal Hall hosted boxing, karate, taekwondo, fencing and volleyball (indoor) events during the inaugural 2015 European Games. Other sporting events include boxing and volleyball at the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games and the 2023 World Taekwondo Championships.
PRESENTER
Aysel Mammadova (Azerbaijani: Aysel Məmmədova; born 3 July 1989), known professionally as Aisel, is an Azerbaijani singer. She represented Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "X My Heart". She has also performed the Azerbaijan national anthem at the opening of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2023.