6 APRIL 2015
"Be physically active and stay healthy" Youth Festival of Health
In Azerbaijan, as well as in vast majority of countries throughout the world people mainly live a sedentary life. As a result such life style causes increase of non-infection diseases, and in the end, negatively affects the health of population. In 2013-2014 Youth Health Festivals dedicated to "April 6 – World Physical Activity Day" were held in Narimanov and Binagadi districts of Baku city with organizational support of Ministry of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan Republic and Public Health and Reforms Center of the Ministry of Health (PHRC). These festivals were apprehended by public with a great interest. These events promoted health education and propaganda of healthy life style among the youth, especially teenagers.
The next youth health festival was held in Culture and recreation park named after Haydar Aliyev in Khazar district, Baku city on April 6, 2015. The event was conducted in accordance with the article 6.6.1(4) of the Action Plan of the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan Republic on implementation of the “Azerbaijan Youth 2011-2015” State Program. Ministry of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan Republic, Executive Power of Khazar district, PHRC and “Sport for Development” Public Organization organized this festival under the "Be physically active and stay healthy" slogan. The Health Festival was aimed at propaganda of physical activity and sport among the youth, especially schoolchildren.
The Festival, devoted to the World Physical Activity Day, was opened with flashmob and DJ music. At the same time different sport sections began to act and exhibition performances were demonstrated. Trainers-instructors of these sport sections invited families and children who attended the event to join them to the sound of music.
Before the official part of the event on specially organized places of the park children and young people were offered face painting and temporary tattoo, art objects, etc. All these were connected with the main topic of the event.
Rauf Aliyev, a Parliament Deputy, Intigam Babayev, a Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport and Arif Balayev, a Deputy Head of the Executive Power of Khazar district gave a speech on the official part of the event. They emphasized the importance of a health festival: “It is of a great importance that this festival takes place in run-up to European Games 2015 in Baku. Azerbaijan that develops every day needs independent and healthy citizens. It's important to be physically active to be healthy!”
A number of competitions related to physical activity, as well as paintings contest with the participation of the members of painting clubs of Mardakan and Shuvalan recreation centers, and also of Youth Center of Khazar district, and exhibition performances of singers, capoeira groups, acrobats, rhythmic gymnastics groups and “Flame country” dance took place in the framework of the festival.
5 teams, 10 pupils each (13-15 years) from 5 secondary schools of Khazar district participated at competitions. Each team was supported by a group of their fans, consisted of up to 50 pupils and teachers. Pupils of Republic special school No. 6 for children with disabilities also attended those relay competitions. Young people demonstrated exercises on fencing, football, basketball, acrobatics and athletics during the event. Organization of competitions on sporting blow-through equipment became one of the most attracting and entertaining sport events at the Festival.
In the end of the Festival all pupils who participated in relay were awarded with certificates and medals. Schools who took first place (secondary school No. 183), second place (secondary school No. 156) and third place (secondary school No. 123) were awarded with diplomas, cups and other presents. The certificates and awards were presented by Vugar Aliyev, a head of Youth and Sport Administration of Khazar district, and Sabina Babazade and Aynur Rashidova, heads of departments of PHRC.
Physical activity promotional materials, developed by the Public Health and Reforms Center were disseminated during the Festival. The event finished with cheerful dance music. The Festival was covered by mass media and raised a great interest among the public.
You can watch pictures from the event here.