During the Opening Ceremony, the official anthem of the EYOF, titled “Together We Shine”, will be performed live by four prominent stars of the Macedonian music scene – Sara Mace, Lara Ivanova, Yang Daddy and Aleksandar Tarabunov.
On Sunday, 20 July, starting at 20:30, at the “Jane Sandanski” Sports Center in Skopje, the largest multi-sport event ever held in North Macedonia will be officially opened – the European Youth Olympic Festival – (EYOF) Skopje 2025. The Opening Ceremony will mark the beginning of a seven-day sports and cultural spectacle (20–26 July), bringing together young athletes from all across Europe in the spirit of fair play, solidarity, and friendship.
As part of the Opening Ceremony, a grand parade will be held featuring athletes from all 49 delegations, along with the EOC Refugee Team, which will be given special attention in the spirit of equality and inclusion. Thousands of young athletes aged 14 to 18 will march through the arena carrying their national flags, bringing with them the energy and hopes of a new European generation.
The audience will hear opening remarks from Mr. Spyros Capralos, President of the European Olympic Committees, who will address the European sports community and highlight the significance of EYOF as a platform for youth sports development and cultural exchange through competition, respect, and unity. The EYOF will then be officially opened by the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Ms. Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, launching the most important week of sport ever organized in our country.
The Opening Ceremony will also feature a unique stage-musical spectacle that will showcase Macedonian culture, sound, and visual artistry. Some of the most beloved and recognizable Macedonian musical artists will take the stage, supported by contemporary scenography, multimedia, and performances inspired by the Olympic values. The show is carefully designed to present the richness of Macedonian culture to the European audience and to create an atmosphere of unity, pride, and celebration, providing an emotional and memorable start to the EYOF.
The Opening Ceremony will include the live performance of the official EYOF Skopje 2025 anthem, “Together We Shine” – a composition already recognized as a symbol of unity, youthful energy, and the Olympic spirit. This powerful musical message will be performed live by four outstanding Macedonian artists – Sara Mace, Lara Ivanova, Yang Daddi, and Aleksandar Tarabunov. The anthem was composed and written by renowned producer Robert Bilbilov. More than just a song, the anthem is a call to Europe – a manifesto of hope, unity, and youthful strength.
The EYOF Skopje 2025 will feature competitions in 15 sports: athletics, swimming, basketball, 3×3 basketball, handball, volleyball, judo, artistic gymnastics, road cycling, mountain biking, canoe slalom, badminton, shooting, table tennis, and taekwondo. The competitions will be held at international-standard sports venues in Skopje and Kumanovo, while the artistic gymnastics events will take place in Osijek, Croatia, in cooperation with the European Olympic Committees and the Croatian Olympic Committee.
More than 4,000 young athletes, coaches, officials, and team representatives are expected to participate in the EYOF Skopje 2025, and hundreds of journalists, volunteers, and guests are expected to attend. North Macedonia will be represented by a delegation of nearly 200 young athletes – a record number in the country’s EYOF history.
In addition to sports competitions, the EYOF will also offer a vibrant cultural program, fan zones, educational workshops, interactive activities delivered by the European Young Olympic Ambassadors, and appearances by the official mascot – Shiny.
The Opening Ceremony of the EYOF Skopje 2025 will be an opportunity for North Macedonia to present itself as an open, modern, well-organized European country. The event will be broadcast live on Macedonian Radio Television (MRT) and can be streamed by audiences across Europe through EOC TV. The Organizing Committee invites all sports fans to witness this historic moment – whether in the arena or from their homes – and to be part of the biggest sporting story ever held in our country.
The Organising Committee of EYOF Skopje 2025 extends its sincere gratitude to the municipalities of Kisela Voda, Aerodrom, Centar, Karpos, Gazi Baba, Saraj, and Kumanovo for their outstanding cooperation, support, and logistical assistance in the preparation and execution of this prestigious event. Through their dedication and openness, these local communities have become an integral part of the EYOF, once again confirming that the success of major projects is built collectively, with team spirit, vision, and partnership.
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