Stephan Stoyanov is a mysterious personality who is highly active in the global contemporary art scene as the most prominent Bulgarian art dealer. He specializes in advising institutions, aristocrats, and collectors on their investments in art, as well as the formation and expansion of their collections. From 2004 to 2014, he managed the Luxe Gallery, situated in a historic building on 57th Street in New York City. The artists he represents have participated in some of the most prestigious contemporary art events, such as the Venice Biennale, the Whitney Biennale, the Sharjah Biennale, and the Pusan Biennale. They have also been featured in institutions like MoMA New York, the Morrie Museum in Tokyo, Tate Modern, the Saatchi Gallery in London, and many others. Recently, in addition to his international activity as an art dealer, he has been a strategic advisor to the Vienna Contemporary Art Fair. In 2017, he established an Art Agency in Bulgaria. He currently curates exhibitions in many important museums and galleries worldwide and has been instrumental in the successful appearances of artists such as Sheikh Rashid Al Khalifa, a contemporary artist who is part of the royal family of Bahrain.

Radoslav Mehandzhiyski is a key figure in the contemporary art scene in Bulgaria, working at the intersection of visual arts culture, strategy, and community building. Together with Teodora Konstantinova, he co-founded Art and Culture Today, Wide Art Forum, and IMAGO International Artist Residency—initiatives that foster critical discourse, professional exchange, and artistic collaboration across borders. Through Art and Culture Today he's the main organizing partner of Sofia Art Fair, Bulgaria’s first international contemporary art fair. His work focuses on creating sustainable platforms for new audiences and artists, building professional cultural infrastructure, and connecting the local scene with global art networks. Passionate about strengthening the art market and cultural policies, Radoslav is committed to making contemporary visual art practices important and valued part of the region’s social and economic development. Photo: Kostadin Krastev – Koko

Studies of Art History & Archeology. Early professional career involved working with private collections as well as curatorial work. Later focusing on fundraising and managing projects for young contemporary artists including art in public space projects and institutional shows. Since 2018 working at Segurio - a Netflix-like online insurance company for art and musical instruments. Also since 2018 Board of Mumok in Vienna.

Johan Gustavsson (born in Stockholm in 1978) is a curator and educator currently based in The Hague, The Netherlands. He is the co-director and curator at 1646 (www.1646.nl) and a lecturer at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. Gustavsson is also a co-founder of (www.alternativeartguide.com) and The Hague Contemporary. He curates the large-scale exhibition ‘Prospects' for the Mondriaan Fonds from 2020-2024' at the Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam in conjunction with Art Rotterdam. Additionally, Gustavsson has worked as a Cultural Ambassador for the city of The Hague and has collaborated with various museums, galleries, and institutions worldwide. Gustavsson's focus is on artistic practices that use strategies such as fictioning, complicating, and humour to generate dialogue or propose alternative points of view. The idea is that fiction can be a valuable tool for imagining the world in new ways. Similarly, it is important to embrace and celebrate complexity, contradiction, and paradox as inherent qualities of human existence, in order to balance the predominance of rationality and logic.

Teodora Konstantinova was born and lives in Sofia. He graduated in "Art Studies" at the New Bulgarian University, studied "Art History" also at the "Ludwig Maximilian" University in Munich, Germany. Doctor of Science (2021). Her interests are related to modern and contemporary Bulgarian and foreign art, art management and curatorial activity, interactive methods for teaching adults and children in the field of art. Teodora Konstantinova currently teaches art management at the New Bulgarian University and is a freelance curator. Teodora Konstantinova is one of the creators of the independent educational platform for contemporary art and culture "Art & Culture Today" (launched in 2016 with the mission of developing audiences for contemporary art in our country through regular visual lecture events and exhibitions). Accompanying projects to "Art & Culture Today" are the multidisciplinary forum "WIDE ART" (launched in 2023) and the international art residency "IMAGO International Artist Residency" (launched in 2019).

Andrea Brouillette-Rodriguez served as a Senior career diplomat representing the United States of America and leading U.S. missions across the globe in ten countries for 30 years – from Latin America to South and Central Asia to Europe. She served as Deputy Chief of Mission or Charge d’affaires in Bulgaria, Turkmenistan, Bangladesh, and Honduras and in Washington, D.C. she served as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director of the Office of India and Bhutan. She has extensive experience building, motivating, and leading high-functioning cross-cultural teams of up to 500 people, capitalizing on team members’ different languages, skills, and experiences to achieve success. Andrea is a lifelong art lover and collector who has created networks of artists, curators, gallerists, and cultural figures wherever she has lived. She has a true gift for leveraging and promoting arts and culture to build bridges. Andrea is bilingual in Spanish, and has professional fluency in Russian and Bulgarian, with some experience in Italian and Danish.

Martin has been passionate about video games and digital entertainment since childhood. His career in esports began as a professional Warcraft 3 player, ranking among the world’s top competitors from 2003 to 2004. Over the past 20 years, Martin Kadinov has dedicated himself to developing gaming culture and esports in Bulgaria. He consistently works to promote video games as tools for skill-building and to debunk myths about their potential adverse effects. In 2003, he founded the Bulgarian franchise of ESL, the global pioneer and leader in esports. In 2014, he took on the role of Regional Manager for Southeast Europe, overseeing operations across 14 countries with a combined population of 80 million people. Martin is also a co-founder of the Bulgarian Festival Association, where he served on the board until 2014. In 2020, he co-founded TDB Play, a company focused on developing projects in the fields of video games, esports, and geek culture, with activities in Bulgaria and Southeast Europe. Martin is the father of a 17-year-old son who maintains a healthy relationship with video games and digital devices, and a 3-year-old boy who has yet to form a lasting relationship with technology.

Milena Rama Debergh, founder of MD Communication Solutions, is a strategic and crisis communications expert. Raised in Sofia during her father’s tenure as Albanian ambassador to Bulgaria, she is fluent in Bulgarian, Spanish, French, and English. She has a broad knowledge and experience of the region. Milena has held executive positions in large-scale and international businesses across various markets, including insurance and energy. Recently, she has advised the UN Refugee Agency on strategic communications and refugee integration in Bulgaria, leveraging diplomatic and business networks. She is also championing women-led and charitable initiatives. Passionate about contemporary art, Milena's collection features Bulgarian talents as well as regional artists. She lives in Sofia with her husband, Francois Debergh, and their daughter, Lou.

Dr. Franz Eim is the CEO of the insurance company TECTUS and a collector of contemporary art. He received his doctorate in economics from the Vienna University of Economics. His professional activity is related to the creation of new and maximally convenient insurance models aimed at individuals and companies owning valuable objects. Main focus is artwork, musical instruments, jewelry, classic cars, real estate. Among the clients we will find many art galleries, foundations, orchestras and museums.

Stoyan Zikov is a multidisciplinary visual artist, painter and leading figure in the development of the creative industries and cultural ecosystem in Bulgaria, with over 20 years of professional experience. His expertise combines extensive practice in the creative sector with deep knowledge of the art market and cultural management. His educational foundation was built sequentially at the National Art School, the National Academy of Arts and the New Bulgarian University. In parallel with his career as an author working in the field of painting, sculpture and other contemporary media and genres with dozens of exhibitions in Bulgaria and abroad, Stoyan has a remarkable 20 years of experience as a set designer in the film industry - a position requiring precise management of large-scale budgets, teams and complex visual projects. He is one of the co-founders of the Sofia Breathes Foundation. Together with the organization's team, over the years he has implemented emblematic initiatives for the capital that have changed the urban environment and cultural dialogue: The "Sofia Breathes" Festival - one of the largest and most successful urban festivals in Bulgaria, which has transformed pedestrian zones into art platforms. "CULTURE Zone" - a long-term initiative to regenerate urban spaces through creativity. Sofia Art Fair - the large-scale international contemporary art fair that builds the missing market infrastructure and connects the Bulgarian scene with the global context. His voice in the sector has strong public weight, as the author and host of the popular podcast Vidocast. In it, he analyzes the intersections between culture, the arts and the creative industries every week, bringing the audience together with leading experts. Stoyan Zikov's analyses offer a unique synergy between the authentic perspective of a living artist and the strategic thinking of an experienced cultural manager.

Mika Sav is an entrepreneur and self-taught contemporary artist based in Sofia, Bulgaria. She has been recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 for her leadership and entrepreneurial contributions. She is the founder of the leadership development platform Leader Talks, as well as the online educational platform LeaderClass. Mika Sav is an official participant in Expo 2020 Dubai, where she presents art projects dedicated to Bulgarian cultural heritage. Her professional practice includes participation in numerous international art exhibitions, as well as consulting with art organizations in Europe. Her work has received recognition from international personalities and institutions, including Khaby Lame and the Cartier Foundation. As a natural extension of her creative practice, she is also the founder of the boutique fashion brand for couture dresses MUSE by MIKA SAV. Mika studied Entrepreneurship at Babson College (USA) and holds a Master’s degree in Financial Management from the University of Bordeaux (France).

Radoslav Parushev is a lawyer with more than 20 years of experience in intellectual property, media law, and regulations of modern technologies. In the Advisory Board, he is generally responsible for compliance with the rules and changing them when they unjustifiably stand in the way of meaningful ideas. He claims that he has been tempted by Art all his life, and it by him.

Hristina Bobokova is a Bulgarian art critic, art manager, philanthropist, and an active person in the creative industry. She has organized the contemporary art festival "Process-Space" for a long time and manages the foundation of the same name. Furthermore, she serves as the director of the Bobokovi Brothers Foundation and the Numismatic Museum-Ruse, focusing mainly on the research, preservation, and promotion of the Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage, archeology, and numismatics. Also, she manages a company that is active in the field of wine and cultural tourism, promoting Bulgarian winemaking and culture. Hristina graduated in Journalism from Sofia University "Kliment Ohridski" and Art Studies from the "National Academy of Arts", as well as holds a Master's degree in "Historical Heritage and Cultural Institutions." She is a member of the board of the Union of Collectors in Bulgaria, the Association of Bulgarian Museums, and NEMO (the European Network of Museum Organizations). Hristina has specializations in art history, art management, museum practices, sommelier and tasting, and cultural and political PR in Italy, USA, Great Britain, Greece, and Bulgaria. She is actively working to popularize Bulgarian contemporary art, supporting causes related to Bulgarian culture, spirituality, restoration, and archaeological, historical, and architectural heritage.

Maria Vasileva (born in 1961 in Sofia, where she lives) graduated in art studies at the National Academy of Arts in Sofia (1984). Doctor of Science (2007). Curator, art historian and art critic. He specialized at the Museum of Modern Art in New York (1998), at the University of Rochester, USA (1999), at the Central European University in Budapest (2002), at the International Artist and Curator Program (ISCP), New York (2002) and etc. One of the founders of the Institute of Contemporary Art - Sofia. Curator of the March 8 group. Long-time Chief Curator of the Sofia City Art Gallery. Initiator of the BAZA Contemporary Art Award. Creator of the Edmond Demirjian Foundation Young Painter Award. Structure gallery creator. Curator of exhibitions with Bulgarian and international participation both in the country and abroad. Author of books and articles in catalogs, magazines and newspapers.

Collector of contemporary art, creator of one of the largest private collections in Bulgaria with works by Bulgarian and foreign authors.

Simona Krasteva has lived and worked in London and Paris. She specializes in media, art, and fashion. For the past three years, she has been an author and TV host of the show "Art Detective" on the National Television of Bulgaria, focusing on art and culture. In 2022, she partnered with the National Gallery to digitize art and create an educational program aimed at a younger audience. She was nominated by Forbes 30 under 30 in the art, media, and culture category in 2022 and has received numerous awards for her contribution to culture and the popularization of contemporary art in Bulgaria. Simona holds a master's degree in media and digital communications from Regents University London and has interned at BBC Art and Culture. She has specialized in modern art at Christie’s London and art business at Sotheby's New York. Simona has worked for digital media and as a concept designer for major magazine publishers, galleries, and auction houses, and has also participated in charitable causes with UNICEF and Women for Women UK. Since 2018, she founded a London based company for art investments and art sales focused on the secondary market. For more than five years, Simona has been an art dealer and consultant, partnering with major names and galleries such as David Nahmad, Joe La Placa, Cardi Gallery, White Cube, Maddox Gallery, Philips, Gagosian, private collectors, as well as members of The Society of London Art Dealers. She believes that art is a living organism that is born, develops, evolves, and, like any living creature, needs to be exhibited, compared, defined, communicate with other forms of art or with its admirers. Therefore, her mission is to showcase and popularize Bulgarian art beyond the borders of Bulgaria.

Suni Danadzha is an entrepreneur and collector. As the founder of the Sofia Breathes Foundation, she organizes impactful art events, the most popular of which is the "Sofia Breathes" urban culture festival. As her mission, Suni takes the promotion of cultural entrepreneurship and diverse artistic performances, which she actively works on through her foundation. With the organization of the first international contemporary art exhibition "Sofia Art Fair," Suni Danadzha is motivated to put Sofia and Bulgaria prominently on the world cultural map. Her story is the story of a person who shapes the cultural landscape with creativity and innovation. Photo: Kostadin Krastev - Koko

Radoslav Mehandzhiyski is a key figure in the contemporary art scene in Bulgaria, working at the intersection of visual arts culture, strategy, and community building. Together with Teodora Konstantinova, he co-founded Art and Culture Today, Wide Art Forum, and IMAGO International Artist Residency—initiatives that foster critical discourse, professional exchange, and artistic collaboration across borders. Through Art and Culture Today he's the main organizing partner of Sofia Art Fair, Bulgaria’s first international contemporary art fair. His work focuses on creating sustainable platforms for new audiences and artists, building professional cultural infrastructure, and connecting the local scene with global art networks. Passionate about strengthening the art market and cultural policies, Radoslav is committed to making contemporary visual art practices important and valued part of the region’s social and economic development. Photo: Kostadin Krastev – Koko

Photo: Kostadin Krastev - Koko

With over a decade of experience in web development, Boris Belev is a highly skilled specialist in creating and maintaining websites based on the WordPress CMS. Passionate about digital innovation and user experience, he has been instrumental in building online platforms for some of Bulgaria’s most influential cultural and music projects. In 2017, Boris played a pivotal role in shaping the Bulgarian music industry by conceptualizing, designing, and developing the website and voting system for BNR Top 20—the official pop and rock music chart of the Bulgarian National Radio. His work ensured a seamless and transparent voting process, engaging audiences nationwide. Boris also contributed to Sofia’s cultural scene by developing and maintaining the digital presence of the beloved Sofia Breathes Festival, a vibrant street event that brought art, music, and creativity to the city’s streets during its existence. His portfolio includes projects that have left a lasting impact on Bulgaria’s digital landscape. He is the driving force behind websites like proud.bg, Bulgaria’s largest LGBTQI+ online magazine, and bassline.bg, the country’s most significant dance music portal. He has also developed websites for some of Bulgaria’s most renowned artists, including Ruth Koleva, Grafa, Akadamus Ballet, and Grafa’s record label, Monte Music. Additionally, he has worked with Metropolis, Bulgaria’s most influential and long-standing techno music movement. Beyond Bulgaria, Boris’ expertise has reached international clients. He has developed digital solutions for The Media Nanny, a boutique PR company based in the Netherlands, as well as Sunrise Booking, Romania’s premier dance music promoter. His international projects also include work with Jon Gaiser, one of the standout artists from Richie Hawtin’s MINUS label. With a keen eye for aesthetics, functionality, and performance, Boris Belev continues to shape the digital presence of leading cultural and music brands, blending technical excellence with creative vision. Photo: Kostadin Krastev - Koko

Motion Design, Postproduction