Orthodox Easter celebrations in north Macedonia

epaselect epa09905776 A long exposure photo shows Christian Orthodox pilgrims holding candles as they walk around the monastery during the Orthodox Christian Easter service at the 10th century monastery of St. John the Baptist 'Sv. Jovan Bigorski' near Mavrovo, Republic of North Macedonia, 24 April 2022. EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Perseid meteor shower over the stone dools in Kuklice

epa09623634 Two hundred stacked digital images of long exposures show Perseid meteors crossing the sky over the stone pillars in Kuklice, near the eastern city of Kratovo, Republic of North Macedonia, early 13 August 2021. The Perseid meteor shower occurs every year in August when the Earth passes through debris and dust of the Swift-Tuttle comet. EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Pollution in Macedonia

epaselect epa07213234 A woman collects plastic bottles while pigs feed at a landfill site in front of the biggest thermal power station in FYROM 'REK BITOLA' near city of Bitola, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 06 December 2018. The thermal power station 'REK BITOLA' is the biggest producer of electric energy in FYROM with production of over 50 percent of the total electricity produced in the whole country. At the same time 'REK BITOLA' is the biggest pollutant in FYROM and Bitola is the most polluted city in the country with over 180 days when the level of pollution is higher than the permitted levels. Some 40 percent of the people with cancer diseases in the country are from this region. At the same time, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed Skopje as the most polluted capital in Europe. EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI MACEDONIA OUT

16th FAI Paragliding World Championship

epa07760719 Participants fly their paraglides during the 16th FAI Paragliding World Championship near Krusevo, North Macedonia, 07 August 2019. EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Group D Nigeria vs Argentina

epa07082663 YEARENDER JUNE 2018 Argentinian soccer legend Diego Maradona pictured before the FIFA World Cup 2018 group D preliminary round soccer match between Nigeria and Argentina in St.Petersburg, Russia, 26 June 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY

The storks and the Super Pink Moon in North Macedonia

epa08349145 The Super Pink Moon rises behind the storks in their nest in the village of Rzanicino near Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia, 07 April 2020. The Fullmoon is in fact closer than usual and appears a little larger and around 15 percent brighter. It is the third supermoon in 2020. EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

UCL Final 2018 - Real Madrid vs Liverpool FC

epa06765499 Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (L) and James Milner of Liverpool FC in action during the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool FC at the NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, 26 May 2018. EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Macedonian Orthodox Christmas preparations

epa08107770 Young children holding sticks decorated with stars walk around religious icons on the eve of the Orthodox Christmas in the St. Kliment Central Orthodox Church in Skopje, North Macedonia, 06 January 2020. Macedonian Orthodox believers will celebrate the Christmas Day on 07 January 2020, according to the Julian calendar. EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Migrants crossing Macedonia on their way for the western Europe countries

epa04883883 Migrants walk to catch the train heading to the Serbian border at the train station in Gevgelija, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 14 August 2015. The number of migrants passing through Macedonia increases day by day. From the beginning of the year to mid-June 2015, nearly 160,000 migrants landed in the southern European countries, mainly Greece and Italy, on their way to wealthier countries in Western and Northern Europe, according to estimates by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Migrants crossing Macedonia on their way to western European countries

epa04884635 A Macedonian police officer tries to stop a migrant from getting into the window of a full train heading to the Serbian border at the train station in Gevgelija, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 15 August 2015. The number of migrants passing through Macedonia increase every day. From the beginning of the year to mid-June 2015, nearly 160,000 migrants landed in the southern European countries, mainly Greece and Italy, on their way to wealthier countries in Western and Northern Europe, according to estimates by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Migrants crossing Macedonia on their way for the western Europe countries

epaselect epa04881986 An exhausted and frustated migrant holds his head after he missed to get a place on a train heading to the Serbian border at the train station in Gevgelija, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 13 August 2015. From the beginning of the year to mid-June 2015, nearly 160,000 migrants landed in the southern European countries, mainly Greece and Italy, on their way to wealthier countries in Western and Northern Europe, according to estimates by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

More refugees arrive at sealed Macedonian border

epa04893070 Migrants break through the cordon of Macedonian special police forces to cross into Macedonia near the southern city of Gevgelija, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 22 August 2015. Macedonian security forces strengthened the barricades along the Greek border 22 August, where thousands of refugees from the Middle East were stranded after a hot day and a rainy, chilly night, local media reported. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Macedonian police clash with refugees at blocked border

epaselect epa04891545 Migrants waiting on the Greek side of the border break through a cordon of Macedonian special police forces to cross into Macedonia, near the southern city of Gevgelija, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 21 August 2015. Macedonian police clashed with thousands of migrants attempting to break into the country after being stranded in no-man's land overnight, marking an escalation of the European refugee crisis for the Balkan country. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Migrants breaking through the cordon of Macedonian special police forces to cross in Macedonia

epa04892995 Migrants who waited more then 48 hours on the Greek side of the border line, flee across a field after jumping over razor wire to cross into Macedonia near southern city of Gevgelija, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 22 August 2015.Macedonian special police forces arrived yesterday morning and blocked the illegal border crossing between Macedonia and Greece. They don't give permission to the migrants to pass in Macedonia. Macedonian government has declared emergency situation in the south and north border with Greece and Serbia due to rising number of migrants and fugitives from Syria, Afganistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Somalia. From the beginning of the year to mid-June 2015, nearly 160,000 migrants landed in the southern European countries, mainly Greece and Italy, on their way to wealthier countries in Western and Northern Europe, according to estimates by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Winter fishing in Dojran

epaselect epa05697446 A fisherman pulls a fishing net from the Dojran lake, in Djordan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 04 January 2017. Dojran lake provides 90 per cent of the fish that Macedonian orthodox believers eat during the Christmas fasting, especially on Christmas eve. 15 years ago the Dojran lake was on the verge of ecological disaster because it was running out of water and the flora and fauna in it was dying out, but a canal providing new streams of water was made and brought the lake back to life. The lake although small by surface, it is the main source of sweet water fish for Macedonia. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Migrants pass into FYROM from Greece broder

epa04891614 Migrants walk on the railway tracks to catch the train heading to the Serbian border, after passing the cordon of Macedonian special police forces to cross in Macedonia near southern city of Gevgelija, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 21 August 2015. Macedonian police clashed with thousands of migrants attempting to break into the country after being stranded in no-man's land overnight, marking an escalation of the European refugee crisis for the Balkan country. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Macedonian police clash with refugees at blocked border

epa04891557 Children cry as migrants waiting on the Greek side of the border break through a cordon of Macedonian special police forces to cross into Macedonia, near the southern city of Gevgelija, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 21 August 2015. Macedonian police clashed with thousands of migrants attempting to break into the country after being stranded in no-man's land overnight, marking an escalation of the European refugee crisis for the Balkan country. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Migrants crossing Macedonia on their way for the western Europe countries

epa04883925 Migrants girls play as they wait for the train heading to the Serbian border at the train station in Gevgelija, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 14 August 2015. The number of migrants passing through Macedonia increases day by day. From the beginning of the year to mid-June 2015, nearly 160,000 migrants landed in the southern European countries, mainly Greece and Italy, on their way to wealthier countries in Western and Northern Europe, according to estimates by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Vardar Skopje vs APOEL FC

epa04855896 Vander Vieira Sacramento (C) of APOEL FC vies for the ball with Nikola Gligorov (L) and Hovhannes Nambardzumyan (R) of Vardar Skopje during the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, second leg soccer match between Vardar Skopje and APOEL FC in Skopje, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 21 July 2015. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Orthodox Good Friday in Macedonia

epa04171330 Macedonian Orhtodox pilgrims hold candles and pray on Good Friday at the main Orthodox church St Kliment in Skopje, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 18 April 2014. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

HC Metalurg vs KIF Kolding Kobenhavn

epa04137986 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn player Torsten Laen (R) in action against HC Metalurg player Pavel Atman (L) during the EHF Champions League handball match between HC Metalurg and KIF Kolding Kobenhavn in Skopje, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 23 March 2014. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Artistic Gymnastics European Championships

epa04224927 Sam Oldham from Britain performs on the Horizontal Bar during the apparatus finals at the 31st Men's Artistic Gymnastics European Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, 25 May 2014. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Parliamentary and President elections in FYROM

epa04183155 Supporters of the ruling Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) celebrate victory on presidential and parliamentary elections in Skopje, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, early 28 April 2014. Macedonia's ruling conservative VMRO-DPMNE party claimed a double victory in parliamentary and presidential elections on 27 April based on its own vote count ahead of an official result. 'I can say that our fatherland is in safe hands. Nikola Gruevski remains prime minister and I can also sai that Gjorge Ivanov remains president,' Vlatko Gjorcev, a senior party official, told reporters. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Migrants crossing Macedonia on their way for the western Europe countries

epaselect epa04871900 Migrants react as they sit in the train heading to the Serbian border at the train station, in the Greek-Macedonian border town of Gevgelija, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 04 August 2015. Greece and Italy are the main entry points for Europe-bound asylum seekers and economic migrants. After they have reached the bloc, many start to make their way to wealthier countries in Western Europe. From the beginning of the year to mid-June, nearly 160,000 landed in both countries, according to IOM estimates. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Pollution in Macedonia

epa04466878 A woman collects plastic bottles at a dumping ground with the biggest thermal power station in FYROM 'REK BITOLA' on the background in Bitola, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 28 October 2014. The thermal power station 'REK BITOLA' is the biggest producer of electric energy in FYROM with production of over 50 per cent of the total electricity produced in the whole country. At the same time 'REK BITOLA' is the biggest pollutant in FYROM and Bitola the most polluted city in the country with over 180 days when the level of pollution is higher than the permitted levels. Some 40 per cent of the people with cancer diseases in the country are from this region. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Group A - Brazil vs Mexico

epa04263642 Thiago Silva (R) of Brazil in action against mexican players Oribe Peralta (L) and Giovani Dos Santos (C) during the FIFA World Cup 2014 group A preliminary round match between Brazil and Mexico at the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, 17 June 2014. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Birds Fly Around Clock Tower

Flock of birds flying around clock tower

Artistic Gymnastics European Championships

epa04216153 Britain's Sam Oldham performs on the Parallel Bars during an official training session for the 31st Men's Artistic Gymnastics European Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, 20 May 2014. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Presidential and parliamentary election rally of ruling VMRO DPMNE

epa04180027 Two young Roma boys dressed in t-shirts for promotion of ruling VMRO DPMNE ride wagon full with cardboards in Skopje, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 25 April 2014. The citizens of FYR of Macedonia will vote on parliamentary elections and the second round of the presidential polls on Sunday 27 April 2014. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Ukraine vs Sweden

epa03260335 Sweden's Johan Elmander (L) in action against Ukraine's Oleh Gusev (R) during the Group D preliminary round match of the UEFA EURO 2012 between Ukraine and Sweden in Kiev, Ukraine, 11 June 2012. Ukraine won 2-1. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI UEFA Terms and Conditions apply http://www.epa.eu/downloads/UEFA-EURO2012-TCS.pdf

Hill of Crosses near Siauliai

epa02896631 A bride poses for photographers on the Hill of Crosses, a Lithuanian national pilgrimage site, near the city of Siauliai, Lithuania, on 03 September 2011. Not only crosses but giant crucifixes, carvings of Lithuanian patriots, statues and thousands of tiny effigies and rosaries have been brought by Catholic pilgrims to this site for nearly two centuries. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Bulgarians rally against poverty

epa03598204 Bulgarians sing the national anthem and wave Bulgarian during a protest in Sofia, Bulgaria, 24 February 2013. Media reports state that tens of thousands of Bulgarians on 24 February took part in a new round of protests against poverty that have already brought down the government. Centre-right Prime Minister Boyko Borissov resigned on 20 February, after days of protests against his austerity policies. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Teteks vs Skendija

epa02428393 Macedonian special police forces try to protect the referees from the angry soccer fans after the Macedonian national league match between Teteks and Skendija (both from Tetovo) in western Macedonian city of Tetovo on 03 November 2010.Teteks beat the leader of the league Skendija with 1-0. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Snow in Skopje

epa03095671 An elderly woman sweeps the street during a snowfall near the main train station in Skopje, capital of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), on 07 February 2012. A cold wave sweeping across Europe has killed more than 420 people since late January, many of them homeless, and weather reports forecast more snow and sub zero temperatures for the upcoming days. The snow has thrown transportation in disarray, blocked main roads and cut off remote villages in many areas. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Professional soldiers protest new law

epa01916622 Professional soldiers rally outside the government building in Skopje, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to protest a law according to which professional soldiers would have to leave the army at the age of 38 on 31 October 2009. Demonstrators fear they will be left without any income once they abandoned active service. Although The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is no NATO member, FYROM's soldiers take part in missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Netherlands vs Spain

epa02245519 Dutch forward Wesley Sneijder shows his dejection after the FIFA World Cup 2010 Final soccer match between the Netherlands and Spain at the Soccer City stadium outside Johannesburg, South Africa, 11 July 2010. Spain won 1-0 after extra time. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI Please refer to www.epa.eu/downloads/FIFA-WorldCup2010-Terms-and-Conditions.pdf

General view of winter sport resort Bansko

epa02600876 Bulgarian staff workers carry spikes for the security net before a training session at the Bulgarian ski resort of Bansko, some 180km from Sofia, Bulgaria on 25 February 2011. The winter sport resort Bansko will be host on the FIS World Cup Men races, one Super Combined and one Slalom on 26 and 27 February. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Vevcani Carnival

epa02528005 Dressed up children watch a parade the street during a carnival in the village of Vevcani, some 170 km southwest from the Macedonian capital Skopje, 13 January 2011. Vevcani village marks the Orthodox St. Vasilij Day annually with a carnival that is a 1,400-year-old celebration with pagan roots. The highlights of the carnival include a political satire where masked villagers act out current events. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Vevcani Carnival

epa02527962 Man dress up as Che Guevara takes part in a parade the street during a carnival in the village of Vevcani, some 170 km southwest from the Macedonian capital Skopje, 13 January 2011. Vevcani village marks the Orthodox St. Vasilij Day annually with a carnival that is a 1,400-year-old celebration with pagan roots. The highlights of the carnival include a political satire where masked villagers act out current events. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Traditional St. Peter's day wedding in Galicnik

epa01792696 A photo dated 11 July 2009 shows a Macedonian girl in traditional dress attend an event the night before the start of the wedding ceremony in the village of Galicnik in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Every year the villagers of Galicnik celebrate a public summer wedding on the Orthodox day of the Patron Saint Petrovden (St. Peter's day). In this centuries-old tradition many rituals are performed. Music and dances only serve to augment the vibrant colours of the rich Galicnik traditional garb. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Strumica Carnival

epa02036066 Disguised people take part in the Strumica Carnival, in Strumica, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 16 February 2010. Macedonians marked 'Trimery', an Orthodox Christian holiday, when evil spirits are chased away with dance rituals. The holiday marks the beginning of the feisting period ahead of Easter. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Skopje Dance Festival

epa01697729 Members of the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet of Turkey perform the 'Rose Garden' during the fifth editon of the Skopje Dance Festival in the capital Skopje, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia late 14 April 2009. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

KFOR soldiers block Kosovo-Serb checkpoint

epa01263789 An elderly Kosovo Serb woman passes by Kosovo Force, or KFOR, soldiers who block the Kosovo-Serb checkpoint in Jarinije,Kosovo, on 22 February 2008. Buses carrying Serb students are trying to reach the northern part of the ethnically divided town of Mitrovica to support Kosovo Serbs in their protest against Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Serb students protest against soldiers of the KFOR

epa01263757 Serb students protest soldiers of the Kosovo Force, or KFOR, as they block the Kosovo-Serb crossing point in Jarinije,Kosovo, on 22 February 2008. Buses carrying Serb students are trying to reach the northern part of the ethnically divided town of Mitrovica to support Kosovo Serbs in their protest against Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Ethnic Albanians wave Albanian flags celebrating the expected independence in Pristina

epa01257519 Ethnic Albanians wave Albanian flags celebrating the expected independence in Pristina ,Kosovo, 16 February 2008. Leaders of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority are expected to proclaim independence from Serbia on Sunday 16 February, the day of a crucial EU foreign ministers meeting that will discuss the issue. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

A file photo dated 24 May 2001 of ethnic Albanian refugees from the region around Vaksince, a stronghold of ethnic Albanian rebels, arriving at the refugee camp

(FILES) A file photo dated 24 May 2001 of ethnic Albanian refugees from the region around Vaksince, a stronghold of ethnic Albanian rebels, arriving at the refugee camp in the border village of Tabanovce after fights between rebels and Macedonian security forces. Macedonian security forces on Monday, 01 September 2003 surrounded several Albanian-dominated villages in the northwest of the country, as hundreds of refugees fled the region fearing more violence. Police erected check-points and deployed large re-enforcements around Albanian-dominated villages Vaksince and Lojane, facing a group of at least 20 Albanian gunmen who have taken positions inside the villages, police sources said. EPA PHOTO/EPA FILES/GEORGI LICOVSKI//

MACEDONIA - FUNERAL IN BITOLA

SKO08-20010607-BITOLA, MACEDONIA: Family members and friends stand at the coffin of killed soldier Blagojce Siljanovski in the garden of the orthodox church St.Nedela in Bitola, some 180km south-west of the Macedonian capital Skopje, Thursday 07 June 2001. Blagojce Siljanovski is one of the five Macedonian troops killed in a rebel ambush near the northern city of Tetovo, which is mainly Albanian. EPA PHOTO EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

MACEDONIA - REFUGEES

SKO02-20010603-SKOPJE, MACEDONIA: An ethnic Albanian refugee girl takes drinking water in the village of Aracinovo near Skopje, Sunday 03 June 2001. The water is said to be unfit for drinking but with the huge rise in the number of refugees, this water is all that is available. EPA PHOTO EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

ALL

SKO06-20010527-ARACINOVO,MACEDONIA: A group of ethnic Albanian refugees, women and children leave their village of Matejce transported by tractors to the village of Aracinovo, near the Macedonian capital city of Skopje. Sunday 27 May 2001. Many Albanians are leaving their villages due to heavy fighting between the Macedonian army and Albanian extremists in the Kumanovo area. EPA PHOTO/GEORGI LICOVSKI

FFM81-20010524-VILAGE OF TABANOVCE-MACEDONIA: An ethnic Albanian refugee child from the Albanian rebels' stronghold village of Vaksince, holds a slice of bread just after his arrival at the refugee shelter in the border vilage of Tababanovce on Thursday, 24 May, 2001. EPA PHOTO/GEORGI LIKOVSKI

MACEDONIA-REFUGEES LEAVING

SKO04-19990628-STENKOVEC, MACEDONIA: Ethnic Albanian refugee children from the Stenkovec refugee camp wait to board a bus to the Kosovo province, Monday 28 June 1999. About 380 refugees from camps in Stenkovec and Blace returned to the Kosovo with buses organized by the UNHCR. EPA PHOTO/EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

MACEDONIA - US MARINES-REFUGEES

SKO01-19990613-STENKOVEC, MACEDONIA: US Marines are welcomed with enthusiasm by ethnic Albanian refugees as they pass through the refugee camp in Stenkovec Sunday 13 June 1999, en route to Kosovo. EPA PHOTO EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

MACEDONIA-KOSOVO-REFUGEES/BRAZDA

SKO02-19990530-BRAZDA-MACEDONIA: Three ethnic Albanian refugee children from Kosovo enjoy their bath in front of their tent in the refugee camp Brazda, 10km north of the Macedonian capital Skopje, Sunday 30 May 1999, as temperatures reach summery heights. EPA PHOTO/EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI/gl-hh