{"id":7054,"date":"2024-12-14T16:20:37","date_gmt":"2024-12-14T23:20:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.coloradocollege.edu\/blockfeatures\/?p=7054"},"modified":"2024-12-14T16:20:37","modified_gmt":"2024-12-14T23:20:37","slug":"discovering-cop29-art-in-baku","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.coloradocollege.edu\/blockfeatures\/2024\/12\/14\/discovering-cop29-art-in-baku\/","title":{"rendered":"Discovering COP29 Art in Baku"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Jessica Legaard, \u201825, Environmental Studies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the minute we landed, Baku’s distinct aesthetic was striking. Bright, oversized screens at Heydar Aliyev International Airport welcomed us with advertisements for COP29, paired with stunning images of natural landscapes\u2014most of whose exact location is still a mystery to me. Despite the late hour, there was energy in the space that hinted at the vibrancy awaiting us in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The journey to this point, however, was no small feat. On Wednesday, November 6th, accompanied by the rest of Colorado College\u2019s student delegation for COP29, we began our travels first, with a ten-hour flight from Denver International Airport (DIA) to Frankfurt International Airport (FRA). A five-hour layover followed, filled with the smells of bratwurst, pretzels, and beer, offering a taste of Germany before our connecting flight. After nearly 24 hours of travel, we touched down in Baku around 1:30 a.m. on Friday, November 8th. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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COP29 advertisements in baggage claim at Heydar Aliyev International Airport (Source: Havalin Haskell ’26)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Finally, after the never-ending travel day, the finish was in sight. We made our way to the exit where our lovely drivers greeted us. Holding signs with the names of our professors, Sarah Hautzinger and Myra Jackson, our drivers helped with our luggage and escorted us into Baku. We stepped outside and turned around to admire the beauty of the airport architecture. I was astonished by the size and lighting of the airport. I had not been expecting the tiered and dome-like structure. By van, we commuted from the airport to the edge of the linked plazas our hotel perched upon, finishing the journey on foot. The time had come to settle in and head to bed before we had the chance to rest and explore the city for the next three days before COP29 commenced on Monday, November 11th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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First outside impressions of Baku’s airport<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Time to settle into the city was necessary before the fast-paced days ahead. We were fortunate enough to acquaint ourselves with the metropolis before the hustles and bustle of the conference. The other student delegates and I set out for the city. Routine quickly became a part of our lives in Baku. We fell in love with the convenience and variety available to us at a local artisan bakery chain, Entr\u00e9e. An Entr\u00e9e stop was always in order before venturing off. A coffee in hand was a must for all of us! Drinks in hand, we set off, but, we didn\u2019t make it far before finding adorable stray cats around the corner from the caf\u00e9\u2013visits with the charming cats were another requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

We quickly found ourselves heading toward Baku\u2019s Old City, which is characterized by an inner wall. According to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, the inner city was founded as early as the Paleolithic period, while robust defensive walls date to the 12th Century. I was mesmerized by the weaving alleys with clotheslines, vines, and cats in search of a spot for sunbathing. It was stunning to see the preservation of the original architecture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n