Azerbaijanis have prepared quite a show at the opening of the European Games. The crowd enjoyed the manifestation for two and a half hours, which combined the traditional and modern, and was disrupted by fireworks a dozen times. The surprise of the evening was a performance of a 21st century pop icon, Lady Gaga, who played the piano and powerfully sang the song "Imagine" by John Lennon, which is an unofficial hymn to love and peace. The opening ceremony showed what Azerbaijan is like today. On one hand, there were traditional values which they proudly keep, manifested trough the song and traditional dances; while on the other, Azerbaijan wished to show themselves to Europe and the world as a modern country which follows the 21st century trends at high velocity. The Games were opened by the country's president Ilham Alijev, while hundreds of boys and girls danced to the rhythm of a traditional Azerbaijani dance Jali. Montenegrin flag was carried by Bosko Draskovic, and the opening ceremony was admired by the Montenegrin President, Filip Vujanovic.
