What keepsake to take from Baku 2015 European Games?

/By AzerNews/

By Mushvig Mehdiyev

Azerbaijan expects a huge inflow of tourists due to the magnificent sports event – the inaugural European Games - this summer. Baku 2015 European Games will contribute greatly to Azerbaijan's international image, broadening the promotion of its rich history, culture, tourism and many other fields.

The gargantuan sports festival is seen also as a major trigger to boost Azerbaijan’s touristic fame far beyond its borders, through the memories and keepsakes tourists will take back to their native lands. If you are in Azerbaijan, you cannot stop yourself from taking at least one memento - it is in the Land of Fire's nature to mesmerize its guests.

Rich culture, arts and craftsmanship traditions in Azerbaijan open a wide variety of keepsake choices.

Kelagayi, Azerbaijani women's national headscarf, can come as one of the best items you can gift yourself and/or your loved ones. The headscarf is made from fine and soft silk in a four-cornered shape. The unique decorative grace of this silk headwear adds beauty to women's appearance with its indigenous Azerbaijani and Oriental signs. Silk kelagayi also protects from both the hot sun and cold wind as silk is cool in summer and warm in winter. Kelagayis are made in different shapes with various colors. Bright colors, such as yellow, pink, gold or purple, alongside the dark colors could be preferred depending on your wishes and taste. The most famous kelagayis you can find in Azerbaijan are "Shah buta", "Saya buta", "Khirda buta", "Heyrati", "Soghani", "Istiotu", "Albukhari", "Abi", "Gonshuchatladan", "Baghdadi", "Shamakhi", "Bestenigar", "Gelinlik", "Gizili", "Mikheyi", "Yemishani", "Zeytuni" and "Yelani". Kelagay is also among the UNESCO intangible heritage. Prices for kelagayi differs from about $30 to $570 depending on the size, ornaments and material used.

Azerbaijani-made wine could also eternalize the memories you had in Azerbaijan, especially your experience with its rich and tasty cuisine. Rich sorts of wine have been showcased throughout the country and if you are curious about older wines, options are wider also. Most wineries in Azerbaijan are situated in the northern part of the country, along the remnants of the Silk Road - the ancient trade route between the Mediterranean and China. Wines in Azerbaijan are made mostly from grapes, unlike the same red drink made of pomegranates or mulberries in other regions. Local wine-makers use international grape varieties - Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rkatsiteli, Aligote, as well as some indigenous varieties - Derbendi, Bendi, Zeynabi and Marandi. In a nutshell, wine could be a good memento to remind you about Azerbaijan. A wide variety of wines in Azerbaijan are for sale in between $18 to $2,850 and beyond depending on maturity and age.

Visiting the workshops of local handicraft masters in the Lahij village of Azerbaijan's highland Ismayilli region could bring a happy end to your keepsake search. Unique examples of souvenirs and crafting: produced of arms, copper, leather, wood would the best choice for lovers of handmade mementos. Different items in terms of size, model and material are sold at different prices.

Azerbaijan is one of the leading countries worldwide in terms of the art of carpet weaving. Carpets are Azerbaijan's national art. It is impossible to imagine Azerbaijan without carpets and carpets without Azerbaijan. Carpet could be the perfect memory token to bring back from Azerbaijan.

Being famous worldwide for its carpets, Azerbaijan showcases this art in many museums across the world: the New-York Metropolitan Museum, London Victoria & Albert Museum, the Hermitage in Sankt-Peterburg, Louver in Paris, etc. It could be an irreplaceable item in your house, rich with memories of Azerbaijan.

In 2010, Azerbaijan's traditional art of carpet weaving was included in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Carpet prices vary greatly depending on their age, design and so on. Prices in city center stores are around $950 and above. But, AzerIlme, a carpet-weaving company, offers carpets at lower prices.

If you are fond of keeping jewelry then Azerbaijan is the right place to delight you. It would be impossible not to marvel at the colorful and peculiar wristbands, necklaces, earrings, rings of various shapes and sizes made by indigenous decorative methods. The genuine Azerbaijani traditions depicted in those pieces of jewelry will undoubtedly boost your grace alongside immortalizing the memories you stored of the Land of Fire. Jewelry items can be purchased at different prices, ranging from $25 to $2,300 and more.

Your fridge will be happy to get a magnetic souvenir depicting Azerbaijani beauty. It can easily be found as such items are almost in every souvenir shop across the country. Moreover, various items made of glass and clay can turn into an Azerbaijani memory that you can bring back to your native country. Souvenir prices charge from a dollar to $100-$200.

Along with material keepsakes you are bound to make some unforgettable memories in Azerbaijan. The peculiar hospitality and warm nature of the Azerbaijani people are famous around the world. Tourists will enjoy an unparalleled friendly atmosphere in the Land of Fire.

Being a guest of Azerbaijan is being part of Azerbaijan family spirit - sitting around the traditional tea table, having a taste of Azerbaijan cuisine - all these will make you want to comeback!