"Horse Power": Classic Car Race and Chovgan Match Held in Baku

The Federation of Automobile Sport and the Federation of Equestrian Sport of Azerbaijan organized an event in Baku on August 30 that combined a classic car parade, a chovgan match, and an equestrian show.

As reported by BAKU.WS, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, participated in the event.

The event began with an exhibition of classic cars on the Baku boulevard. Vehicles registered for participation in the event by the Azerbaijan Automobile Sport Federation, as well as some exhibits from the permanent collection of the Heydar Aliyev Center, were presented in the Seaside National Park. More than a hundred classic cars of various production years took part in the exhibition. These unique exhibits demonstrate the stages of automotive industry development and always attract attention with their visual expressiveness.

Then the retro cars drove through the central streets of the city, following the route: Neftchilar Avenue - Ag Sheher Boulevard - Heydar Aliyev Center - Heydar Aliyev Avenue - "Bina" equestrian center, evoking nostalgic emotions among residents and guests of the capital.

Classic cars produced in different years by various automobile companies added special beauty to Baku's appearance. Each of these cars attracts attention not only with an appearance different from modern cars but also with its history.

At the conclusion of the race, an exhibition was organized at the "Bina" equestrian center. As part of the event, a video about the activities of the Azerbaijan Automobile Federation (AAF) and the Federation of Equestrian Sports (ARAF) was shown.

AAF, a full member of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), implements various projects and activities aimed at developing motorsport, ensuring road safety, and promoting automotive heritage. A special place among these initiatives is occupied by car races, speed festivals, drift and off-road races, as well as classic car exhibitions. The federation's initiatives have received high recognition at the international level: in 2024, at the FIA awards ceremony in Kigali, AAF was awarded the "Heritage Promotion Cup" for organizing a classic car exhibition.

ARAF has also done significant work over the years to preserve the population of Karabakh horses and promote them in the international arena. In May of this year, Karabakh horses participated for the ninth time in the Royal Windsor Horse Show (UK) and in the Ethnosport Culture Festival in Istanbul, winning significant public sympathy. At the same time, the traditional horse game - chovgan has received international recognition and is now held as part of international competitions. Then, the audience was presented with a captivating program "Victory" featuring Karabakh horses.

A video about chovgan - Azerbaijan's national equestrian game - was also shown. In 2013, chovgan was included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. This game is not only a sport but also a valuable cultural heritage. It should be noted that next year Baku will host the second World Chovgan Championship.

The event continued with a friendly chovgan match between teams from Azerbaijan and Italy, reflecting the mission of sport in strengthening friendship and cooperation. The game ended with a score of 2:1 in favor of the Azerbaijani team.

Awards were also presented in the following categories: "Best Female Rider," "Best Male Rider," "Most Unique Car," "Most Original Car," "Most Legendary Car," "Oldest Car," "Most Unusual Car of the 1950s-1960s," and "Most Unusual Car of the 1970s-1980s." Guests who distinguished themselves with original retro costumes were also awarded. Three people were recognized in this category.

The evening concluded with a concert. Famous tenors Vittorio Grigolo (Italy) and Yusif Eyvazov (Azerbaijan), as well as soprano Afag Abbasova (Azerbaijan), took the stage and performed opera pieces. Then popular contemporary music performer Minelli (Romania) delivered an energetic and memorable program.

The event was sponsored by Nazar Holdings, Volvo Cars, Azerbaijan Automobiles, and Azpetrol, with organizational support from Motor House, Green Car, the Regional Development Public Association (RIIB), and Nargis magazine.

Qalereya