English (UK) 
Македонски 
The Summer European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) 2025 began on Saturday, 20 July, with a powerful and heartfelt Opening Ceremony at the Jane Sandanski Sports Center in Skopje, North Macedonia. This marks the largest multi-sport event ever hosted by the country.
The event was officially declared open by the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Ms. Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, alongside EOC President Spyros Capralos, and President of the Skopje 2025 Organising Committee and the NOC of North Macedonia, Daniel Dimevski. They were joined by other distinguished guests, signalling the start of a week filled with sportsmanship, unity, and celebration.
Broadcast live across Europe via EOC TV, the Opening Ceremony was a dazzling display of culture and creativity, headlined by the official EYOF anthem “Together We Shine!” The show featured powerful local elements—from the stirring drum performance by the Skopje Drumroll Orchestra to a grand finale by renowned Macedonian electronic artist Kiril Dzajkovski.
One of the most symbolic moments of the evening came with the Flame of Peace. North Macedonia’s Olympic silver medallist in taekwondo, Dejan Georgievski, was honored as the first torchbearer, while long-distance runner Dario Ivanovski lit the EYOF cauldron in a touching video segment filmed at the historic Kale Fortress.
Traditional elements such as the national anthem performed by the choir of the National Opera and Ballet, the raising of the EOC flag, and the Athletes’, Officials’ and Coaches’ Oaths emphasized the Olympic values of integrity, respect, and excellence.
In a colourful Parade of Nations, over 4,000 athletes and officials from 50 delegations, including the EOC Refugee Team, proudly entered the arena, setting the tone for a week of elite competition and international friendship.
EOC President Spyros Capralos addressed the athletes with words of encouragement, highlighting EYOF’s significance in nurturing Europe’s next generation of sporting talent, aged 14 to 18.
Athletes will compete in 15 sports across various venues, including artistic gymnastics in Osijek, Croatia, made possible through a unique collaboration between the EOC, Skopje 2025 Organising Committee, and the NOC of Croatia. Osijek also held a special celebration event to honour its gymnasts as part of the EYOF spirit.
Competition at Skopje 2025 will run until 26 July, and the full schedule can be found here.
All competition can be streamed live or watched on demand through EOC TV.
We wish all participants the best of luck as they strive to shine—together—in Skopje!
