BULGARIA INTERVIEWS

A few years ago, when Dr Elena Voeva decided to transform the established family dental practice founded by her father, the respected specialist Dr Haralampi Voev, she had a clear vision for its new direction. Dr Voeva had realised that the future of dental medicine and orthodontics was digital, and she therefore turned Voeva Dental into a pioneer of modern, innovative treatment in Bulgaria. The result of this visionary decision speaks for itself: today, the clinic treats patients of all ages.

Dr. Stoyana Natseva is one of the most prominent European names in modern education and personal development. With more than 500 international media features, 15 bestselling books read by over 280,000 people, and three officially registered world records validated and certified by the World Book of Records London, she stands as a leading figure in contemporary learning systems.

A zero-waste industry is the dream of our modern economy and environment. Metodi Mitev, founder of Zero Waste, a company specialising in utilising waste materials for hydrogen production, knows how this can actually happen. He spread his entrepreneurial wings as a teenager in the early 1990s – the turbulent times when Bulgaria was transitioning from a Communist state to a democracy and an open market. A graduate of Business Administration and Economics, he opened his first company in 2001.

Some expats arrive in Bulgaria for business and then they find something more – a way to bring some meaningful change into the life of the country. Tony McMurray is one such example. The finance professional has always sought challenges in sports, adventure and charity. In 2021 he got an idea that would unite all of these to help some of the most vulnerable Bulgarian citizens. The idea behind the Bulgarian 56 Peaks Challenge is both simple and alluring.

Verzhiniya Ivanova is one of those women for whom success is a way of life and the recognition of others – a well-established tradition. She got her first award back in 1998, when she won the Miss Shumen beauty pageant. Twenty years later, already an authoritative financial specialist, she once again reached the top of the beauty ladder, winning the titles Mrs Burgas and Mrs Bulgaria – Business Woman 2018.

What happens when two experienced psychoanalysts with interest in film analysis decide to speculate about what really happened in the final hours of one of the 20th century's ultimate movie stars? The answer is one of the latest plays on Bulgaria's theatre stage, Marilyn Monroe's Final Hour. Dr Vivian Pramataroff-Hamburger and Prof Dr Andreas Hamburger have applied both their professional experience, imagination and sense for the dramatic to give their idea of what happened to Marilyn Monroe on 4 August 1962, just hours before she was found dead in her bed.

With the real estate market in Bulgaria upsurging – prices have increased by 15% in the first trimester of 2025 – everyone is asking one big question: what is going to happen next? Most analysts predict that the upsurge is bound to continue at least until the end of the year – a sign for both investors and first-time buyers that they have to act fast.

In a globalised world and economy, where giants dominate what we eat, drink and wear, a Bulgarian entrepreneur has demonstrated that with smart business practices, serendipity, and a desire to make life better, local brands can outcompete established names in the market. After a successful start in commerse, in 2014 Petar Delev made a bold step – he decided to become a franchise representative of a Bulgarian sportswear brand, Flair. Two years later, he became a partner in the company.

Assoc. Prof. Krasimira Hristova, MD, PhD, is an expert in non-invasive imaging diagnostics of cardiovascular diseases, with over 25 years of clinical experience. She is the Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Disease Center in Sofia, a state-of-the-art facility for high-level diagnostics and treatment, and a reference center for General Electric, the global leader in medical technology manufacturing.

You do not always have to be narrowly focused to become an outstanding professional – often it is the ability and willingness to look beyond the boundaries of a single field that allows you to help people more effectively. The personal and professional story of Loreta Filipova is a case in point.

An overachiever from the start, she attended a foreign language high school in Sofia while also taking acting classes. After graduating, she continued to pursue both passions, enrolling in university to study law and acting simultaneously.

With the rapid advancement of technology, modern marketing is enjoying a boon of new ways to improve product visibility, refine messages, analyse the right audiences and manage the brand. Nelly Paeva is a Bulgarian entrepreneur who is giving companies in the local market yet another tool to improve their results. Her company, Healthix, is a leader in the development of neuroscience in Bulgaria by offering neuromarketing through LORETA – a high-tech method for analysing brain activity.

In the days of overtourism, selfies and Airbnbs there are still hardcore travellers who want to leave the comforts of home and explore new places, people and cultures, even if it often means sleeping in a tent in a remote mountain village. This is what Olivier Meissel has done. He cycled across Bulgaria three times to make a documentary inspired by his father. The senior Meissel, a retired history and geography teacher, had become a tour guide. In 2001 he was asked to organise tours in Bulgaria. He did this for ten years, developing a deep passion for the country.

How to invest your money wisely and make the most of the ever-changing economy, even in times of volatility and uncertainty, is a question that many people ask today. Natalia Petrova is one of the few people in Bulgaria who knows the answer. The CEO of Concord Asset Management, the largest non-bank asset manager in Bulgaria, she has over 20 years of experience in asset management, capital markets, equity and bond trading, UCITS products and services, and is a licensed investment advisor, broker and dealer in government securities.

The official web page of the Embassy of Ireland in Sofia is the only embassy page  I've seen over the past at least 20 years that, instead of a formal CV of the ambassador noting past experiences and positions held, posts... a poem! And not just any poem, but one by the great Irish poet John O'Donohue:

Responsible diesel vehicle owners are already familiar with AdBlue® – the additive that reduces harmful emissions and enhances fuel efficiency by optimising engine combustion. Remarkably, this high-performance solution is not only produced in Bulgaria according to the strictest manufacturing standards – it has become a market leader thanks to the vision and initiative of a woman, Krassimira Hristova.

For Amitabh Vardhan cinema is not just a form of entertainment. It is a passion. As the managing director and CEO of Cine Grand since 2010, he has dedicated himself to creating and crafting the ultimate cinema experience for viewers. Mr Vardhan's previous experience has prepared him well for the task – his professional background spans several countries, including India, the US, the UK, Romania, and Serbia, and a number of industries such as consumer goods, services, hospitality, and real estate.

Before coming to Sofia as His Majesty's Ambassador, Nathaniel Copsey was the chief speech writer for the foreign secretary. As he covered the full range of UK foreign policy's issues, he had wide access and connections to the British and international media. With a background as an academic, latterly a professor of politics, Nathaniel Copsey focused on Europe, particularly the EU and Eastern Europe. He was involved in both the 2015 renegotiation of the EU treaty and the subsequent referendum in 2016.

From prehistory to modernity, humanity has explored the nature of metals and has tamed them, putting them at the centre of entire industries and creating astonishing pieces of craft and art of them. Nedyalka and Dimitar Mitkovi have dedicated their lives and creative spirits to making exquisite pieces of wrought iron.

Excellent organization, flawless work processes, timely reaction and visible results: these are just some of the reasons why Sky Prime is one of the hot names in the Bulgarian market right now.

The fragrance diffuser lets another puff of delicate aroma in the elegant waiting room. Sitting on the comfortable sofas, people leisurely check their phones, while sipping water or fresh coffee. The impression of being in a luxury retreat shared area would be perfect if not for the laminated protective coverings on their shoes and the assistants calmly calling the people, one by one, by their names.