The CONIFA Sportsbet.io European Football Cup 2019 is set to begin its footballing action today. Prior to yesterday’s dazzling opening ceremony in Stepanakert, the official opening press conference for the tournament was held.

The press conference took place at the new, dedicated media centre in Stepanakert, which will give the press an ideal base from which to report. The assembled press put questions to representatives of CONIFA and the Artsakh government.

CONIFA President Per-Anders Blind described it as a “huge honour” to be in Artsakh. “We are really amazed by the welcome we have received. This week, we are here to celebrate our members and the beauty of Artsakh.”

Grigori Martirosyan, the State Minister for the Republic of Artsakh expressed his happiness that his country was hosting its “first large-scale event”. He said that he and his government were doing all they could to make sure that the tournament was as enjoyable as possible for the people of Artsakh and for the many guests who have travelled out to the south Caucasus to follow the event.

The Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Narine Aghabalyan, described how Artsakh had “built bridges” with other member teams during the organisation of the tournament over recent months. “I think this is the mission of CONIFA – to create friendships.”

CONIFA’s Europe President, Alberto Rischio, and Sascha Duerköp, the General Secretary also offered their thoughts to the assembled press. Duerköp reiterated the CONIFA philosophy, saying that “politics should never be used to exclude people from sport”. He also commented that the organisation had been asked to cancel the tournament, but never considered doing so. “We are happy to discuss and have open relations with anyone”, but he said the organisation would not bow to pressure.

With more than 100 journalists having been accredited for the tournament, there will be no shortage of coverage of events in Artsakh around the world. CONIFA will be providing daily coverage on our website and through our social media channels, whilst the games will be streamed by our streaming partner Mycujoo – watch here.

Author: Olaf Jensen; Image credit: Gevorg Ghazaryan

There was no clearer sign of how much the small, mountainous Republic of Artsakh has embraced the CONIFA Sportsbet.io European Football Cup 2019 than at the opening ceremony. The whole of Stepanakert, the capital city, was alive with activity, the way to the stadium packed with families, officials, soldiers and visitors, and the grass verges overlooking the stadium thronging with Artsakhians eager to take part in the ceremony.

Inside the stadium there was already a party atmosphere, but the crowd was given an extra lease of life by the energetic warm-up act (even the government figures took part in the Mexican wave) and a dramatic performance by singer Vardan Bardalyan, accompanied by the ‘We Are Our Mountains’ dance ensemble.

But first, the formalities. All eight competing teams marched down the running track – here, it was obvious how proud the people of Artsakh are to welcome these athletes to the their countries – but the biggest cheers were predictably reserved for Western Armenia and Artsakh themselves.

President of the Republic of Artsakh, Bako Sahakyan, spoke of “an important event in the life of Artsakh”, praising the “rigorous and hard work” of the tournament organisers and volunteers.

“Football,” he said, “unites people, builds friendship [and] fosters humanitarian contact.” There was a sense of immense pride from the entire stadium when he expressed his hope that the Artsakhian athletes taking part could be a source of inspiration for the entire country.

And on a night on which the footballing world’s attention was fixed on the UEFA Champions’ League final in Madrid, CONIFA President Per-Anders Blind had a different perspective: “Tonight the capital of Europe is Stepanakert” – a sentiment echoed by CONIFA’s Europe President, Alberto Rischio.

Then the festivities truly began. The ceremony was a real celebration of Artsakhian culture and identity, and the country’s shared heritage with Armenia, characterised by a blend of modernity and tradition.

And of course, a celebration of football. The CONIFA official anthem was a crowd-pleaser, but even more so was the young boy performing keepy-uppies in the centre circle for the entire duration.

Then we had traditional Armenian and Artsakhian instruments, the young piano maestro Anahit Arushanyan, a tribute to French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour by Oxana Baburyan, and Armenia’s answer to the Gipsy Kings, Manolo and the Gipsy Gitanes, putting in a rousing performance of Bamboléo, all held together by trilingual banter between the three hosts, representing Artsakh, Armenia, and the huge diaspora around the world.

But the highlight was undoubtedly Sirusho, one of the most famous and popular Armenian-language singers – and the country’s representative at the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest. Her set, rapturously received by screams and cheers, blended Armenian religious and historical themes with contemporary modern pop.

Closing the ceremony was Artur Grigoryan, the legendary Armenian singer and pianist, joined by percussionist Erna in a composition written specially for the tournament, simply titled Artsakh. And as the fireworks began to unfold over the stadium, it was a fitting end to an incredible night.