epaselect epa09916132 Yevhen Honcharko (Up) of Ukraine competes against Lennart Slamberger of Gernamy in the round 3 of the Men's 66-kg category of the European Judo Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, 29 April 2022. EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

epa08774343 YEARENDER 2020 ARTS CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT Tourists look at an art installation resembling the structure of the COVID-19 virus, made of plastic water bottles on the beach of the village Ezerets, Bulgaria, 23 August 2020. The art installation actually wanted to show the pollution of plastic waste in the world's oceans. EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

epa09083766 Bulgarian special forces from the 101st Alpine Regiment take part during the military-tactical exercise 'Rhodopes - 21' in the Rhodope Mountain near the town of Smolan, Bulgaria, 19 March 2021. Joint training with the NATO Center for Research, Development and Improvement of Mountain Warfare Capabilities (NATO MW COE) in Slovenia 'Rhodopes - 21' is held in order to increase interaction and interoperability of the participating formations in mountainous winter conditions at an altitude of over 2,000 m as well as to increase the tactical capabilities of the headquarters and formations of the 101st Alpine Regiment to survive in winter mountains. EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

epaselect epa06955456 Kasumi Ishikawa of Japan in action against Ning Ding of China during the women's singles quarterfinal at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Asarel Bulgaria Open in Panagurishte, Bulgaria, 18 August 2018. EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

epaselect epa09789560 The monument of Russian soldiers from WWII, with the soldiers' hands painted in red, at the Red Army memorial in Sofia, Bulgaria, 27 February 2022. Russian troops entered Ukraine on 24 February prompting the country's president to declare martial law and triggering a series of announcements by Western countries to impose severe economic sanctions on Russia. EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

epa07535831 Bulgarian Orthodox faithful carry an icon of the Virgin Mary during a parade on Easter Monday at Bachkovo monastery, near the village Bachkovo, Bulgaria, 29 April 2019. The Orthodox world celebrates their Easter according to the old Julian calendar. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is regarded by Christians as their most important religious festival. EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

epa07523343 Partecipants in action during the National Boxing Tournament for inmates at the Central Prison in Sofia, Bulgaria, 23 April 2019. With the support of the Bulgarian Boxing Federation, the 7th Boxing Tournament took place among prisons in Bulgaria under the motto 'With Gloves against Agression'. EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

A Canadian sphynx cat

A man drives his horsedrawn cart during a heavy rain in the town of Kustendil some km from Sofia

Horses in a race during

epa01922311 Bulgarian President Georgy Paqrvanov (2-L) and President of Montenegro, Filip Vujanovic (L) review the honour guard during an official welcome ceremony in Sofia , Bulgaria 05 November 2009. Montenegro's President arrived on a two-day official visit in Bulgaria. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa02228774 A slow exposure picture of Brazil's Michel Bastos in action during the FIFA World Cup 2010 Round of 16 match between Brazil and Chile at the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, 28 June 2010. EPA/VASSIL DONEV Please refer to www.epa.eu/downloads/FIFA-WorldCup2010-Terms-and-Conditions.pdf

epa02228537 Brazilian fans in the stands before the FIFA World Cup 2010 Round of 16 match between Brazil and Chile at the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, 28 June 2010. EPA/VASSIL DONEV Please refer to www.epa.eu/downloads/FIFA-WorldCup2010-Terms-and-Conditions.pdf EPA EPA

epa02228546 Brazilian players warm up before the FIFA World Cup 2010 Round of 16 match between Brazil and Chile at the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, 28 June 2010. EPA/VASSIL DONEV Please refer to www.epa.eu/downloads/FIFA-WorldCup2010-Terms-and-Conditions.pdf EPA EPA

epa02218180 Algeria's Rafik Halliche (L) and USA's Edson Buddle (R) during the FIFA World Cup 2010 group C preliminary round match between USA and Algeria at the Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, 23 June 2010. EPA/VASSIL DONEV Please refer to www.epa.eu/downloads/FIFA-WorldCup2010-Terms-and-Conditions.pdf

epa02217571 Fans prior to the FIFA World Cup 2010 group C preliminary round match between USA and Algeria at the Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, 23 June 2010. EPA/VASSIL DONEV Please refer to www.epa.eu/downloads/FIFA-WorldCup2010-Terms-and-Conditions.pdf

epa02217902 USA's Carlos Bocanegra (T) and Algeria's Karim Matamour (B) during the FIFA World Cup 2010 group C preliminary round match between USA and Algeria at the Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, 23 June 2010. EPA/VASSIL DONEV Please refer to www.epa.eu/downloads/FIFA-WorldCup2010-Terms-and-Conditions.pdf

epa02214074 Argentinean national soccer team head coach Diego Maradona wears sun glasses during a press conference at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, 21 June 2010. Argentina will face Greece in the FIFA 2010 World Cup group B soccer match on June 22 in Polokwane. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01878561 Members of German dance company 'Gauthier Dance' perform during a general rehearsal at the Sofia Dance Week held in Sofia, Bulgaria, 28 September 2009. The Siofia Dance Week runs from 24 September to 01 October. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01544122 YEARENDER 2008 OCTOBER A model presents a bridal hair style during a show featuring the work by Bulgarian stylists on the first day of International Hair and Beauty festival in Sofia, Bulgaria, 04 October 2008. Stylists from Europe and Russia are taking part in the two-day-long event. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa02176929 A girl sleeps next to roses bushes during sunrise near the village of Rosino some 140km from Sofia, Bulgaria, 28 May 2010. The oil rose (rosa damascena) had been brought to Bulgaria in the 16th century from Turkey. It requires unique climate conditions which in Bulgaria exist only in the 60 km long valley south of the Balkan mountain. The rose flowers are picked by hand before sunrise and short after for achieving the highest concentration of the oil. Bulgaria is one of the main producers of rose oil in the world, along with Turkey. One kilogram of rose oil sells on the world market at prices between 4,000 and 5,000 euros (5,300 - 6,700 US dollars). Rose oil is used in aromatherapy and to make perfume. EPA/VASSIL DONEV .

epa02149769 A Bulgarian veteran from the World War II stands in front of the Red Army monument during Victory Day celebrations in Sofia, Bulgaria, 09 May 2010. Bulgaria was an ally of Nazi Germany until 1944 but joined the anti-Nazi coalition following the arrival of the Soviet army. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01510280 German hairdresser Sacha Subner at work on the second day of the International Hair and Beauty festival in Sofia, Bulgaria, 05 October 2008. Stylists from Europe and Russia are taking part in the two-day-long event. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01794655 Valentina Vezzali (L) of Italy fences with Katja Wachter of Germany during the final women's foil of the European Fencing Championships in the town of Plovdiv some 150 km from Sofia, Bulgaria, 14 July 2009. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01789811 A visitor look at a painting of Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin during the opening ceremony of 'Totalitarian Art' exhibition at the National Art Gallery in Sofia, Bulgaria on 09 July 2009. The exhibition displays over 65 paintings and sculptures of Bulgarian and Soviet communist rulers. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01782962 An election poster of Bulgarian right-wing opposition GERB party leader Boiko Borissov on a monument where it reads 'A man could live well but dies at the end and after him another one is born...' in the town of Dobrinishte some 180km from Sofia, Bulgaria, 04 July 2009. Bulgaria will hold Parliamentary election on 5 July. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01771899 A man drives his horsedrawn cart during a heavy rain in the town of Kustendil some 80km from Sofia, Bulgaria on 24 June 2009. Bulgarian meteorologists warn of possible hails and thunderstorms across the country. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa02103827 Homemade rockets fired by members of the Panagia Erithiani church congregation streak through the sky during a traditional Easter celebration in the village of Vrontados, on the Greek island of Chios, 03 April 2010. As a variation of the Greek habit of throwing fireworks during the celebration of the Orthodox Christian service at midnight before Easter Sunday, two rival church congregations in the town, the congregations of the Agios Markos and Panagia Erithiani churches, perform a 'Rocket War' by firing thousands of homemade rockets across the town, with the objective of hitting the bell tower of the church of the other side. It is difficult to know how and when this tradition started in Vrontados. Today there are many different versions of the story. The first version tells a story that the custom goes back to the 19th century, when the Ottoman occupiers confiscated the cannons on the island over fear they would be used in an uprising. So the locals resorted to fire rockets instead. This became the traditional annual Rocket War. The second story also states that the tradition was born during the Ottoman occupation. People from the island were prohibited to celebrate Easter the way they were used to. The people from the churches of San Maria and San Marco decided to have a fake war with rockets to keep the Ottomans away. And indeed, the Ottomans were frightened by the sudden violence. They kept a safe distance while the rockets were fired. In the meantime, the communities could celebrate Jesus’ resurrection in their churches. EPA/VASSIL DONEV .

epa01749771 A view of the art installation 'A Water Grazing' by Bulgarian sculptor Pavel Koichev on a lake near the village of Osikovitca, some 70km from Sofia, Bulgaria, 03 June 2009. The art installation will be on display at the lake until 10 June. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa02059439 A man holds a poster reading 'Do you know what you're eating' during a demonstration against genetically modified organisms (GMO) in Sofia, Bulgaria, 28 February 2010. Hundreds protested against the planned changes of the GMO act which are supposed to allow the release of GMO in Bulgarian nature for the purposes of scientific tests. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01720609 A man rakes the embers during a traditional roasting of St. George's whole lamb 'Cheverme' in the village of Patalenicha some 110km from Sofia, Bulgaria on 06 May 2009. Bulgarians are celebrating 'Gergyovden' - the day of one the most popular saints - St. George, who is among the few venerated by Christians and Muslims alike. St. George was a Roman officer during the rule of Emperor Diocletian (284-305), who became one of the martyrs for Christianity. He was tortured and then beheaded (on April 23, 306) because of his refusal to renounce his Christian faith. The holy martyr St. George the Victor has been considered one of the most important Saints ever since Christianity became the official state religion in Bulgaria in the 9th century. A common ritual is to prepare and eat a whole lamb, which is an ancient practice possibly related to Slavic pagan sacrificial traditions and the fact that St. George is the patron saint of shepherds. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01720612 A man stands near a big bonfire during a traditional roasting of St. George's whole lamb 'Cheverme' in the village of Patalenicha some 110km from Sofia, Bulgaria on 06 May 2009. Bulgarians are celebrating 'Gergyovden' - the day of one the most popular saints - St. George, who is among the few venerated by Christians and Muslims alike. St. George was a Roman officer during the rule of Emperor Diocletian (284-305), who became one of the martyrs for Christianity. He was tortured and then beheaded (on April 23, 306) because of his refusal to renounce his Christian faith. The holy martyr St. George the Victor has been considered one of the most important Saints ever since Christianity became the official state religion in Bulgaria in the 9th century. A common ritual is to prepare and eat a whole lamb, which is an ancient practice possibly related to Slavic pagan sacrificial traditions and the fact that St. George is the patron saint of shepherds. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01717503 A Canadian sphynx cat is pictured during a second day of the international cats exhibition in Sofia, Bulgaria 03 May 2009. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa02043444 At first light a group of Bulgarians ride their horses in a race during the Todorov Den - also known as Horse Easter - 20 February 2010 in Sofia. By tradition the first week of the Long Lent is called Theodors week in Bulgaria. St. Theodors Day, also known as Horse Easter, is celebrated with horse competitions and horse races testing the animals strength. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01659742 Women from the Gypsies tinker minority dance during a traditional gypsy wedding ceremony at an open-air market for Gypsy brides in the village of Mogila, Bulgaria, 07 March 2009. Some 2000 Roma from the southern parts of Bulgaria gathered in the village of Mogila near Stara Zagora, 220 km east from the capital Sofia, to celebrate the Day of Saint Todor, or Horse Easter. At this traditional gathering, taking place on the first Saturday after the start of the orthodox Easter fast, the Roma families expose their teenage daughters with the intention to find a husband for them who is willing to pay a large amount of money for his future wife. At this ‘bride market’ the price of a beautiful young woman is said to be several thousands levs/euros. The teenage girls, usually over 15 years old, wear their best cloths, attractive make up and some of them - golden necklaces and rings. ‘We take our daughters to this gathering so they could get acquainted with boys, for we do not allow our children to go to discos’, explains Elena from Kapitan Andreevo at the border with Turkey. Other families came from the second largest Bulgarian town Plovdiv, from Pasardzhik to the west and Sliven and Jambol to the east. They take also small children with them who enjoy a fine spring day, playing and eating sweets. A newly wed couple danced on top of an old car to show their happiness. Several wannabe-brides joined the belly-dance of the couple from Haskovo, showing their eagerness to be married. Being Christians, the Roma celebrate the Day of Todor with the traditional horse races. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

A rainbow colours a darkened sky

epa01658245 A rainbow colours a darkened sky at the end of a rainstorm in a held near the town of Plovdiv some 120 km from Sofia,Bulgaria 07 March 2009. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01651646 Lindsey Vonn of the USA speeds down during the race Women's Alpine Skiing World Cup Super G in Bansko, Bulgaria 01 March 2009. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01980830 People perform the national dance 'Horo' holding national flags in the icy waters of the river during the celebrations of the Epiphany day in Kalofer, some 150 kms from Sofia, Bulgaria, 06 January 2010. Epiphany is a Christian feast originating in the eastern Christian churches. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

A woman offers tattoos during the International Tattoo Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria, 03 May 2008. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01630542 Bulgarian Orthodox faithfuls light candles with jars with honey during a holy mass for 'sanctification of honey' at the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin church in the town of Blagoevgrad some 85 km from Sofia, Bulgaria, 10 February 2009. Honey and beehives are sanctified by performing a ritual for health and rich harvest. On St. Haralambos's Day, sick or blind people go to church and pray for healing. According to traditional concepts, St. Haralambos is the lord of all illnesses, especially the plague. Doing any housework is strictly forbidden that day, because of the fear of any coming illness. Women are only allowed to bake round bread and decorate it with a cross in the middle and a large wreath at the edge for health. Honey is consecrated in the local church and then all the bread is coated with that honey. The rest of the honey is kept in the house as a remedy. According to the belief, St. Haralambos blesses the land and it gets warmer and ready to be cultivated. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01599309 Bulgarian riot police close in on protestors wielding batons during a demonstration in front of Parliament in Sofia , Bulgaria on 14 January 2009. More than 1,000 demonstrators clashed with police in Sofia during a protest against the government, urging Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev to resign. They threw snowballs and empty bottles agains the parliament building. Police pushed them back. Up to 30 demonstrators were arrested. Several policemen were injured. The demonstrators gathered after a call on the Internet. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01594490 A pelican walks on a frozen lake at the Sofia Zoo, Bulgaria on 09 January 2009. All natural gas supplies at the Ukraine-Romanian border towards the Bulgarian 'Bulgargaz' were terminated on 06 January 2009, the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy and Economy reported. The termination includes the entire Bulgarian market as well as transit volume to Greece, Turkey and Macedonia. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01593508 A woman smokes a cigarette behind of a frozen window in Sofia, Bulgaria on 08 January 2009. All natural gas supplies at the Ukraine-Romanian border towards the Bulgarian 'Bulgargaz' were terminated on 06 January 2009, the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy and Economy reported. The termination includes the entire Bulgarian market as well as transit volume to Greece, Turkey and Macedonia. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa01589703 An ice fisher drills a hole into the ice to fish on a frozen lake, near Sofia, Bulgaria, 03 January 2009. EPA/VASSIL DONEV

epa09620934 River Radamus of the USA in action during the Men's Giant Slalom 1st run at the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in Bansko, Bulgaria, 27 February 2021. EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV