Two Greek photographs are among AP’s 100 best for 2025.

Almost two weeks remain until 2025, and AP has compiled the 100 best photographs of the year, among which are two from Greece.

One of them is by Thanassis Stavrakis for AP, taken during the August wildfires in Patras, where a resident is seen rescuing a sheep with his motorcycle, carrying it away from the flames. It is a moment in which the camera captured humanity and pain against the backdrop of devastating fires that burned entire areas and endangered the lives of people and animals.

Olsien Moutsobega, the worker photographed carrying his sheep on his motorcycle, is one of those who selflessly saved their animals from the flames. The photograph deeply moved audiences and was also highlighted by the BBC.

Photographer Thanassis Stavrakis, speaking to NEWS 24/7 about the powerful shot, said: “In the afternoon, while we thought things had calmed down, we found ourselves in the suburbs of Patras, in Aroi. But the situation changed quickly, the fire expanded, and homes were close to burning. Young people in the area were selflessly trying to stop it. Then I began to notice what was happening with the animals. Many young people were carrying animals — a girl picked up a kitten, others a huge dog.”

“At that moment, around 40 people were gathered on a small concrete road. My cameraman told me they were going to bring some animals. The road was blocked by the crowd. In the photograph I took, the man carrying the sheep is shouting ‘Open the road.’ At first, I thought it was a dog, but it was a sheep. What struck me was that the sheep seemed to feel tremendous safety in the arms of the man carrying it.”

The second Greek photograph is the full moon as seen behind Philopappos Hill last February.