The Bulgarian capital recently played host to a strategic working visit by Anna Stukkert, international media entrepreneur, investment strategist, and the founding force behind the International Investment Congress Awards. Her presence in Sofia carried a clear ambition: to anchor Bulgaria into the trajectory of global investment events and elevate its profile in cultural and economic diplomacy.
Galina Raicheva
Hristina Hristova Svetlana Sherenkova Milka Petrova
The architecture of the meetings was designed and led by Galina Raicheva, founder of Drustar Consulting. Raicheva’s mission, to establish Bulgaria as a serious destination for investment, international events, and business tourism, relies on weaving together public institutions and private partners into a single, coherent strategic narrative.
The agenda included a working meeting with Hristina Hristova, Professor and Doctor of Political Science and Dean of the Faculty of Library Science and Cultural Heritage at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT). Their conversation centered on advancing Bulgarian higher education, strengthening doctoral and professorial pathways and aligning the country’s academic structures with international benchmarks.
This academic discussion grew with the contributions of Svetlana Sherenkova and Milka Petrova from ULSIT, both bringing thoughtful insight into education, public communication, governance, and international academic collaboration.
A defining moment of the visit was the working session with Poli Karastoyanova, advisor to the Minister of Tourism and a recognized authority in tourism policy and public communications. Bulgaria was framed as a strategically positioned, highly promising destination for European and global investors. Both parties confirmed a multi-phase engagement program through 2026 and 2027, anchored by a series of follow-up meetings and a Sofia press conference targeting the international investor base.
Adding a media architecture to the conversation, Miroslav Ivanov, Editor-in-Chief of TravelNews.bg, joined the discussions to deepen the cooperation between France, Germany, and Bulgaria, particularly in connection with the Cannes Film Festival, the International Investment Congress Awards, and Royal Gentlemen Club events.
Vili Gospodinova, founder of LABOR8, the Bulgarian niche fragrance and cosmetics brand renowned for its concept-led design language and intimate sensory experiences, took part as a representative of the country’s emerging creative industry voice. At the Cannes Film Festival 2026, she will be presented with the Special Talent Award at the International Investment Congress Awards.
The week of meetings produced concrete strategic outcomes.
The defining outcome is the formation of a Bulgarian delegation set to participate at 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 combine voices from business, investment, media, academic, and expert spheres, jointly presenting Bulgaria as a magnet for capital, cooperation, and visitor experiences.
Honorary guests of the International Investment Congress Awards and Royal Gentlemen Club Gala Dinner:
- 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
In autumn 2026, Sofia will welcome the International Investment Congress Awards by Royal Gentlemen Club for what will be its landmark 20th anniversary edition, a platform designed to bring together investors and partners from Germany, Austria, and beyond to engage in open dialogue on investment, tourism development, and economic cooperation.
Joining the congress as a partner and sponsor is Lacrima, the historic Bulgarian dairy producer established in 1959. Lacrima will also be honored at the International Investment Congress Awards, carrying the legacy of Bulgarian production and heritage onto the international stage.
Across every conversation, one strategic vision shone through, Bulgaria’s emergence as a destination for investment tourism, a country where economic potential, cultural heritage, and global business converge into a single, compelling proposition.
