Azerbaijani fairy-tale characters named mascots for European Volleyball Championship PHOTO

Azerbaijan’s beloved fairy-tale characters Jirtdan and Goychek Fatma will serve as the official mascots of the 2026 Women’s European Volleyball Championship, the Azerbaijan Volleyball Federation said.

The two characters will appear in the stands during the tournament, representing not only the competition but also Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage, traditional folklore and reputation for hospitality, local media reports.

Jirtdan and Goychek Fatma are well-known figures in Azerbaijani children’s folklore and are expected to add a local cultural touch to the championship.

Group C matches will be played at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku from August 21 to 28.

Azerbaijan’s national team will compete against Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Romania and Spain in the group stage.

By Sabina Mammadli