Baku 2015 has no language barrier!

/By AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

Baku is fast getting ready to host the first ever European Games scheduled for June 12-28, putting the last final touches to this massive endeavor.

Since Baku 2015 will mark the inauguration of the European Games, Azerbaijan has said to be determined to set the bar very high in terms of preparation and organization, regardless of the short period of time it was awarded to make all arrangements.

Keen to meet the highest standards Baku 2015 will be as grandiose and spectacular as any Olympic Games. Where the Olympic Games usually require 7 to 8 years preparation, Azerbaijan had only two and a half year to get everything off the ground. The fact that Baku has managed to get ready on time is a success in itself.

The country not only had to build stadiums and arenas, but it also had to prepare the city for an extraordinary inflow of tourists and all that it entails in terms of security and urban infrastructure.

The whole of Azerbaijan is now ready to host this significant event, during which, some 6,000 athletes from 50 countries across Europe will compete over 17 days.

In order to facilitate tourists’ experience in Baku, the authorities set up Special Reference and Information Centers across Azerbaijan to answer people's queries and assist them if needed,Trend reports.

All necessary information about the city’s infrastructure including cultural centers, transportation, hotels and so on will be provided in different languages such as English, Russian, French and etc. by calling “109”.

Currently, another Call-center is operating in Baku to disseminate information about the first European Games and assist visitors should they encounter difficulties.

The center replies to calls in both Azerbaijani and English at its telephone line “2015” from Azercell, Azerfon GSM and Bakcell operators, as well as all landline operators, which cover 100 percent of subscribers in Azerbaijan.

For international visitors wishing to gather information prior to traveling, the number is +994 77 2015 000.

It provides a large range of information about Baku 2015, including info about venues, sport, competition schedules, ticketing (prices, how to buy tickets, sales locations and opening hours), Lucky Winner campaign, accessibility, merchandise, ceremonies, journey of the flame and transport.

Starting from June 1, 2015, callers will also be able to get tourism information, such as visa, points of interest and accommodation, as well as emergency situations, and lost and found items.

Azerbaijan has taken all necessary measures to make the long-awaited European Games, that Baku was awarded by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012, a brilliant success.

For those foreign visitors who fear that language might pose a difficult barrier to overcome, Baku has also thought of everything. At a crossroad in between Asia and Europe, Azerbaijanis are proficient in many foreign languages -- Russian, Turkish and English.

More than half the population in the country is perfectly fluent in Russian - it is actually the second most spoken language in Azerbaijan. A former Soviet country, Azerbaijan has not forgotten its ties to Russia.

Turkish which is also similar to the Azerbaijani language is known by most of the population.

English is also widely studied in schools and universities, so by any account communication will not be an issue.

Farhad Hajiyev, the executive director of the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation said from all the volunteers who send their applications - 10,400 - over 77 percent of all applicants indicated they spoke English, 65 percent knew Russian, five percent spoke German, three percent spoke French and about two percent knew Spanish.

Moreover, special maps will be available in both Azerbaijani and English to provide spectators with clear instructions about to how to reach all the venues, as well as all the main tourist attractions of Baku. There will also be signs around the venues that will help guide and direct spectators to their seats.

Even the police forces underwent a special English language course to ensure that communicating with tourists will not be an issue. About 1000 policemen attended an intensive English course.

Medical personnel also had passed English language courses in view of assisting Baku's guests should the need arise.

There will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015, some 16 which are Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports. Twelve of the sports will offer qualification opportunities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Those sports include Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Cycling, Judo, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Triathlon, Volleyball and Wrestling.