Sofia hosted a working session bringing together one of Europe’s most decorated heavyweight boxers and a delegation of accomplished Bulgarian women shaping international media, consulting and academia.
INSIDE THE SOFIA WORKING SESSION
A working visit to Sofia provided the setting for a focused meeting with European heavyweight boxing champion Kubrat Pulev, whose career has come to symbolize Bulgarian determination and excellence on the world sporting stage. The athlete is widely regarded as one of his country’s most prominent international ambassadors.
Joining him at the table were three influential figures: Galina Raicheva, founder of Drustar Consulting; Anna Stukkert, international media entrepreneur, investment strategist and founder of the International Investment Congress Awards; and Professor Hristina Hristova, Doctor of Political Science and Dean of the Faculty of Library Science and Cultural Heritage at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies.
FROM THE RING TO THE ACADEMY
The dialogue revisited Pulev’s remarkable professional trajectory, and his role in elevating Bulgaria’s reputation abroad. Turning professional in 2009, he climbed the ranks at an impressive pace, claiming the European heavyweight crown in 2012. He went on to challenge Wladimir Klitschko for the world title in 2014, and in 2020 stepped into the ring against Anthony Joshua — bouts that confirmed his place among the most resilient heavyweights of his generation.
Notably, Pulev’s achievements extend well beyond athletics: he is also a PhD holder from the G. S. Rakovski Military Academy, an accomplishment that underscores his commitment to learning, leadership and national service alongside his sporting career.
BUILDING A GERMAN–BULGARIAN SPORTS BRIDGE
A central theme of the meeting was the proposed establishment of a joint German–Bulgarian association dedicated to nurturing and promoting talented athletes on the international stage. Within this initiative, Kubrat Pulev was presented as a benchmark figure — a model of discipline, character and the steady pursuit of objectives.
Sport, when paired with business and cultural diplomacy, becomes one of the most effective vehicles for shaping a nation’s international image.
CANNES 2026 AND THE INVESTMENT CONGRESS HORIZON
The conversation extended to the strategic value of sport as a tool for international positioning and for reinforcing Bulgaria’s national identity abroad. Possibilities for collaboration around major upcoming events were reviewed, including the Cannes Film Festival 2026 and the International Investment Congress Awards.
The participants concluded that the convergence of sport, business and culture forms a solid foundation for forging enduring international partnerships — and for positioning Bulgaria as an inviting destination for investment and high-level cooperation.
