Aleksandar Efremov remembered on his birthday; memorial exhibition opens in Štip

What should have been a birthday celebration for photographer Aleksandar Efremov turned into a day of quiet remembrance. Efremov, from Štip, lost his life in the deadly blaze at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani on 16 March 2025; friends and family mark the day with sorrow instead of cake and candles.

An emotional tribute published today included a short line that captured the mood: "His photographs stopped, but the memory lives on." The same message contained a longer passage reflecting on the work and life Efremov left behind:

"How painful it is that a photographer, a man who devoted his life to capturing others' happy moments, left behind only photographs… He captured smiles, hugs and small moments that become the most valuable memories, without suspecting that one day someone would photograph the memories of him."
The tribute concluded: "Today somewhere above the clouds we imagine that a candle is lit for you. Not on the cake you hold in your hands, but in the sky. May it shine where you now belong, and beside it may stand the symbol of infinity — because there are loves that death cannot break. Happy birthday, our good angel!"

Memorial exhibition in Štip

On the photographer's birthday, his hometown is paying a special tribute. The Bezisten Art Gallery in Štip opens a memorial exhibition of Efremov's work this evening (28 September) at 18:30. Titled "The Eye of the Angel," the show will remain open to visitors through 30 September.

The exhibition is intended as a space for family, friends, colleagues and townspeople to revisit Efremov's images and remember his talent and kindness. Efremov was among the young artists and musicians, including members of the band DNA, who perished in the Kočani fire — a tragedy that left lasting grief across the region.

Eternal honor and memory to all of them.

Photo: Fejsbuk/ So srce za Kochani (AI)