Summer University is the main event which allows Europeans to feel the AEGEE spirit and to spend the summer holidays with participants from other AEGEE locals. This year AEGEE-Bakı and AEGEE-Sumqayıt decided to co-organise this project to show the beauty, the culture, the language and the history of Azerbaijan, which is why it was divided in two parts (Baku and Sumgait).
Experiencing the culture of Baku
First week of the Summer University took place in Baku and began with the arrival day on July 16th. Green Rock Extreme Sport Complex was reserved for accommodation, and in the Baku part of this SU the participants took part in language courses, Azerbaijan Cultural night, shisha party, trip to Guba and Gobustan, as well as activities in Baku, such as excursion to important and historical places. Baku is the heart of culture and history of Azerbaijan, and this is why the majority of this SU was planned to take place there, but our participants also got the opportunity to go to Gobustan. Moreoever, culture and traditions of Azerbaijan were showed in Cultural night.
Heading towards Sumgait
The second week was organised in Sumgait. The hotel reserved for the participants was in Novkhani at the coast of the Caspian Sea and entertainment was planned for this part because of the strength-consuming previous part. On the other hand, some activities such as language courses, shisha party and sessions were repeated. In Sumgait, participants could get the chance to swim in the biggest lake in the world – the Caspian Sea and to see the third biggest city of Azerbaijan – Sumgait. Futhermore, participants represented their culture and traditions in European Night which has a very important position in the Summer Universities. Especially the last day has left special lasting memories in the hearts of the ones that were involved. Having already been enriched with great memories, the cherry on top was when professionals took their time to teach the folk dance and music of Azerbaijan to the attendees.
Written by Ilkin Zaka Khanishly, AEGEE-Bakı