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Baku Crystal Hall

Coordinates: 40°20′39″N 49°51′01″E / 40.3442°N 49.8502°E / 40.3442; 49.8502
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Baku Crystal Hall
Exterior of Baku Crystal Hall
Map
Full nameBakı Kristal Zalı
LocationBaku, Azerbaijan
Coordinates40°20′39″N 49°51′01″E / 40.3442°N 49.8502°E / 40.3442; 49.8502
OwnerMayoralty of Baku
Capacity12,000 (seated)[3]
27,000 (with standing room)[3]
Construction
BuiltAugust 2011 - April 2012
Opened7 May 2012
Construction cost$350 million[1]
ArchitectGMP International GmbH[2]
Project managerAlpine Bau Deutschland AG,
Nussli Group,
Basler & Hofmann AG
Main contractorsSSF Ingenieure AG,
seele austria GmbH & Co. KG
Website
www.crystalhall.az

Baku Crystal Hall (Azerbaijani: Bakı Kristal Zalı) is an indoor arena in Baku, Azerbaijan. It is located on the coast of Baku near National Flag Square. Construction of the arena began in August 2011 and finished in April 2012—in time for it to host its first major event, the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.

History

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Baku Crystal Hall under construction (January 2012)
See also: Forced evictions in Baku

Baku Crystal Hall was built in order to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.[4][5] On 2 August 2011, the main agreement was signed with Alpine Bau Deutschland AG to construct the venue and preparations for construction had been started in the area.[6] Although the full cost of the contract was not named, the government is known to have allocated 6 million AZN for the construction of the venue.[7] On 5 September 2011, it was announced that the venue will be able to hold 25,000 spectators.[8] The arena also contains VIP lounges.[8]

The construction of the arena was expected to be completed by 31 March 2012.[9] However, there was a delay of three weeks because of weather conditions, and the building was announced to have been completed on 16 April 2012.[10][11] Baku Crystal Hall was opened on 7 May 2012 by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva.[12]

Structure and facilities

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The total area of the complex is 30,958 m2, while the area of the arena is 10,964 m2. Its height in the middle is 24 m. The arena is lit by 12,000 LED light points with a lighting rate of 850 lux at 1 m height. The corridor around the arena is divided into two symmetrical parts with 15 entrances on each side, including 30 outside entrances. Each sector has 2 transport access points (1 on each side), 10 arena entrances (5 on each side) and 16 tribune access points (8 on each side). Along the corridor, there are 10 beverage facilities (5 in each sector), 18 catering facilities (9 in each sector), 2 first aid points (1 in each sector), 36 toilets (6 for men, 6 for women and 6 for persons with physical disabilities in each sector). The hall has 12,000 seats but can accommodate 27,000 people.[3]

The building has a crystalline shape and illuminated façade with numerous LED lights. The LED lights were upgraded to allow different dynamic lighting scenarios that can highlight the membrane façade and create moods appropriate for different events.[13]

Usage

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Concerts

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Baku Crystal Hall's first major event was the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, held at the arena from 22 May to 26 May 2012.[5] Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and Rihanna performed concerts at Baku Crystal Hall later in 2012.[14] Local singer Aygün Kazımova had a concert on 22 September 2017.[15] Christina Aguilera performed a sold-out concert on April 28, 2018.[16] On 28 May 2018, a gala concert to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was held in Crystal Hall.[17]

Culture

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Baku Crystal Hall hosted the 6th e-Sports World Championship held by the International e-Sports Federation in November 2014.[18]

Sports

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Baku Crystal Hall hosted boxing, karate, taekwondo, fencing and volleyball (indoor) events during the inaugural 2015 European Games.[19] Other sporting events include boxing and volleyball at the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games and the 2023 World Taekwondo Championships.

[edit]
  • The opening of the Baku Crystal Hall
    The opening of the Baku Crystal Hall
  • The 2012 Eurovision Song Contest was the first major event at Baku Crystal Hall
    The 2012 Eurovision Song Contest was the first major event at Baku Crystal Hall
  • CEV Champions League 2013-2014 Final Four
    CEV Champions League 2013-2014 Final Four
  • Baku at night with the Baku Crystal Hall in the background
    Baku at night with the Baku Crystal Hall in the background
  • Stamp celebrating Baku Crystal Hall
    Stamp celebrating Baku Crystal Hall

References

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  1. ^ "Die Arena, die niemand fotografieren darf". 7 May 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  2. ^ Cay Dobberke (4 February 2012). "Aufbauhilfe für Baku". Der Tagesspiegel. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  3. ^ a b c "crystalhall.az - History". Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  4. ^ Yalcinkaya, Hakan (8 September 2011). "Azerbaijan: Baku Crystal Hall to host Eurovision 2012". ESCToday. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
  5. ^ a b Jarmo Siim (25 January 2012). "Crystal Hall approved as Eurovision 2012 venue". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  6. ^ "German company to construct Modern Sport-Concert Complex in Azerbaijan's capital". en.apa.az. APA News Agency. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  7. ^ "Second largest sport-concert complex to appear in Baku in April 2012". abc.az. FINEKO Analytic & Informational Agency. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  8. ^ a b "Venue likely to host Eurovision 2012 in Baku to be biggest ever in recent history of contest". en.trend.az. Trend News Agency. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  9. ^ "Арена, на которой может пройти "Евровидение-2012", будет самой крупной". 1news.az. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
  10. ^ "Although the weather created some challenges, Baku Crystal Hall was completed in accordance with all standards". eurovision.az. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  11. ^ McGuinness, Damien (22 December 2011). "'Evicted in Baku to make way for Eurovision'". BBC News. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  12. ^ "Azerbaijani President opens Baku Crystal Hall – arena of Eurovision-2012 (PHOTO)". en.trend.az. 7 May 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  13. ^ "Sports Concert Complex by GMP Architekten". Dezeen. 27 January 2012.
  14. ^ I. Asadova. JLo, Rihanna and Shakira at Baku Crystal Hall Archived April 15, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Echo. 13 June 2012.
  15. ^ "Айгюн Кязымова организовала для зрителей автобусы на концерт в Baku Crystal Hall". 5 September 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  16. ^ "Azerbaijan Books US Pop Star Christina Aguilera". Retrieved 29 June 2018. On 28 April 2019 Cradi B performed at the arena .
  17. ^ "The First Lady of Azerbaijan". mehriban-aliyeva.az. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  18. ^ [1] Official facebook post - IeSF World Championship to be held in Baku Crystal Hall
  19. ^ "Holding I European Games in Baku is historic event – Mehriban Aliyeva". News.az. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Baku Crystal Hall.
Preceded by Eurovision Song Contest
Venue
2012 		Succeeded by
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