Sofia recently became the meeting point for one of the most strategically significant working visits of the year, hosting Anna Stukkert, an international media entrepreneur, investment strategist, and the founder of the International Investment Congress Awards. The visit signaled a new chapter in Bulgaria’s positioning on the international investment and cultural map.
Coordinating this high-level program was Galina Raicheva, founder of Drustar Consulting, whose long-standing mission has been to elevate Bulgaria as a hub for capital flows, international events, and business tourism. Raicheva’s methodology blending diplomacy with private-sector dynamism continues to bridge institutions and entrepreneurs, fostering durable strategies that reach far beyond a single fiscal cycle.
One of the early conversations was held with Hristina Hristova, Professor and Doctor of Political Science, Dean of the Faculty of Library Science and Cultural Heritage at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT). Their exchange concentrated on the trajectory of higher education in Bulgaria, including doctoral and professorial pathways, and the country’s growing alignment with global academic frameworks.
The dialogue widened to include ULSIT academic figures Svetlana Sherenkova and Milka Petrova, whose contributions enriched the discussion on education, public communication, governance, and the cultivation of international academic partnerships.
A pivotal moment of the visit was the meeting with Poli Karastoyanova, advisor to the Minister of Tourism and a leading voice in tourism policy and public communication. The conversation framed Bulgaria as a forward-leaning, strategically positioned destination for European and global investors. Both sides agreed on a sustained engagement plan for 2026–2027, encompassing follow-up sessions and a Sofia-based press conference dedicated to the international investment community.
Adding a media dimension to the dialogue, Miroslav Ivanov, Editor-in-Chief of TravelNews.bg, joined the discussions to reinforce communication links between France, Germany, and Bulgaria particularly in the context of the Cannes Film Festival, the International Investment Congress Awards, and Royal Gentlemen Club events.
The creative and entrepreneurial layer of the visit was represented by Vili Gospodinova, founder of LABOR8, a Bulgarian niche fragrance and cosmetics brand recognized for its concept-led aesthetic and personalized sensory craftsmanship. Gospodinova will be honored with the Special Talent Award at the International Investment Congress Awards during the Cannes Film Festival 2026.
Out of these conversations emerged a series of decisive agreements.
Foremost, a Bulgarian delegation will officially participate in the Cannes Film Festival 2026, attending the Beach Ball Gala Dinner and the International Investment Congress Awards by Royal Gentlemen Club on May 21. The delegation will assemble voices from business, investment, media, academia, and expertise projecting Bulgaria as an inviting destination for capital, cooperation, and tourism.
Honorary guests of the International Investment Congress Awards and Royal Gentlemen Club Gala Dinner include:
- Laurent Anselmi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Monaco (2019–2022)
- H.E. Ambassador of Egypt to France M. Tarek Dahroug and his wife Mrs. Aliaa El-Serafi
The International Investment Congress Awards by Royal Gentlemen Club is set to return to Sofia in autumn 2026, marking its 20th anniversary edition. This milestone gathering will unite investors and partners from Germany, Austria, and across Europe in dialogue on capital, tourism, and economic synergy.
Among the prominent supporters of the upcoming congress is Lacrima an iconic Bulgarian dairy producer established in 1959. As a partner, sponsor, and honoree at the awards, Lacrima will represent Bulgarian production traditions and heritage on the international stage.
Throughout the meetings, special emphasis was placed on Bulgaria’s emergence as an investment tourism destination a country where economic ambition, cultural depth, and international opportunity converge.
