Baku 2017: Journey from the Caspian

Prior to an Olympics Games, a torch is lit and carried around the host country to bring the spirit and excitement of the games to the whole country. For the Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games, the journey focused on water instead of fire. Water is hugely important in the Islamic faith, symbolising purity, healing and cleansing.

Following the Launch Ceremony, waters from the shores of the Caspian Sea were sent throughout Azerbaijan. In return, crystal waters collected by children from lakes and rivers, waterfalls and springs across the land were united at the Opening Ceremony of the Games in Baku.

The Journey from the Caspian visited 16 locations over 37 days, travelling over 3000km before returning to Baku.

Working with local production companies in Baku, I produced and edited this video capturing the Journey from the Caspian. The video was projected on a large 85x35m projection screen during the Opening Ceremony, as well as being broadcast live to over 30 nations worldwide.

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Baku 2017: Highlights from the Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony of the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games took place in Baku, Azerbaijan on the 12th May 2017.

The spectacular Opening Ceremony, ‘Knowledge’, tells a universal story of peace and hope, and celebrates the enormous contribution Islamic civilisation has made to everything around us.

After relocating to Baku in January 2017 it was a privilege to be part of the Ceremonies team, producing and managing video content for the Launch Ceremony, Regional Events Programme, and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Video content was displayed on an 85x45m projection screen, lit by over 130 projectors, as well as being broadcast live to over 30 nations worldwide.

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Baku 2017: Launch Ceremony

On 5th April 2017, the Journey from the Caspian Launch Ceremony took place at the Stone Chronicle Museum in Baku.

Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan presented water from the Caspian Sea to children from all over Azerbaijan. They will then take the water back to their regions as part of the Journey from the Caspian. This water represents a memento, from Baku and the Islamic Games to the regions of Azerbaijan.

The Journey will visit 15 more iconic locations throughout Azerbaijan, travelling 3000km over 37 days before returning to the Baku Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games.

As well as producing video content for the ceremony its self, I also provided quick turnaround highlights and multi-camera edits for distribution to broadcasters and media in over 50 nations worldwide.

Click here to find out more about the Baku 2017 Ceremonies