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The Eurovision 2012 Host City
On January 25, 2012 the symbolic key of the Eurovision Song Contest was delivered fromDusseldorf to Baku. During the
Host City Insignia Exchange Ceremony, the first official event of Eurovision Song Contest 2012 held in Buta Palace, Baku,
the symbolic key was handed over by the Lord Mayor of Dusseldorf, the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 Host City, to the
Head of Executive Authorities of Baku, the host city of Eurovision Song Contest 2012. The Host City Insignia Exchange
Ceremonies are held annually as of the year of 2007 when the key with symbolic inscription Host City of the Eurovision
Song Contest is ceremonially delivered to the event’s next venue.
Thus the Host City mission for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 was officially assumed by Baku. This ceremony was
followed by the Draw Allocation Ceremony held at Baku’s Buta Palace to identify participants of the First and Second
Semi-Finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.
Motto of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012
In recent years, each Eurovision contest featured a motto of its own. As far as Azerbaijan is concerned, a country
traditionally known as the Land of Fire met the contest with Light Your Fire! appeal addressed to the whole of Europe.
The logo accompanying this motto depicted stylized round dances from ancient rock carvings in Gobustan, the crescent
and eight-pointed star featuredbyAzerbaijan’s national flag, buta, an integral attribute of national ornaments since times
immemorial, together with elements of joy and hospitality so typical of open-hearted Azerbaijani people. The design
embracing all these elements provides an excellent visual way to convey the motto’s philosophy and bring together all
musical fans of Azerbaijan around the bonfire and friendship. Commonly-shared musical values of the Eurovision family
were instrumental in lighting the fire of love in the hearts of Azerbaijanis.
With magic light of Holy Fire
Your love and dreams will get inspired!
With flame of music, rhythm and song
Just LIGHT YOUR FIRE and get strong!..