More than 200 guests and 15 celebrities joined forces to support teachers and the future of Bulgarian education
The Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum would like to express its sincere gratitude to all its members and supporters for joining the event, bidding in the auction, and generous commitment to the mission of equal access to quality education.
Text and photo sourced from Teach for Bulgaria
Teach for BulgariaFoundation set a record for generosity at the 14th edition of its Inspirational Leaders Charity Auction, raising BGN 600,000 – the highest amount in the history of the event. The funds will be directed towards training and support for teachers and school directors across the country who are working to ensure equal access to quality education.
The event, organised in partnership with the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF), brought together more than 200 guests from the corporate, cultural, and public spheres. They bid for unique experiences donated by 15 prominent figures from the worlds of business, art, sports, and science.
"Tonight we are investing in the profound change that Bulgaria needs," Trayan Trayanov, CEO of Teach for Bulgariasaid. "Our mission is for every child, regardless of where they live, to have access to world-class education."
"Teachers are the people who inspire today's children to become tomorrow's leaders," Anton Panayotov, Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum president said.
Among the stars at this year's auction were author Georgi Gospodinov,Winner of the International Booker Prize 2023, pop star Vladimir Grafa Ampov, professional basketball player Aleksandar Vezenkov, actresses Teodora Duhovnikova and Koina Ruseva, journalist Mirolyuba Benatova, economist Prof. Ilian Mihov, Former dean of INSEAD, as well as business leaders such as Stefan Elenkov, Delian Asparouhov, and Dimitar Dimitrov.
The highest bid this year reached BGN 60,000 for a lifetime golden ticket to all Fest Team concerts and festivals, donated by Stefan Elenkov. A real cultural competition was sparked by the coffee chat with Booker Prize winner Georgi Gospodinov, which was valued at BGN 40,000. Following that, BGN 30,000 gave the donor the opportunity to turn their home into a "smart home" and meet Dimitar Dimitrov, CEO of Shelly Group, in person.
A tungsten piece from Varda Space Industries’s first space capsule, donated by entrepreneur Delyan Asparouhov, also caused a sensation. His company builds pharmaceutical factories in Earth orbit, where it produces medicines in microgravity conditions.
Guests at the charity auction had the opportunity to bid for a meeting and visit to a game with Alexandar Vezenkov, as well as his jersey and a collector's card with his autograph.
The evening also offered temptations for the senses – a boutique art dinner in one of the emblematic halls of the restored TZUM, provided by Michaela Tsvetanova and Antica World, as well as an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life at the Silivryak restaurant nestled in the Rhodopes – the culinary gem of MasterChef winner and culinary host Maria Zhekova.
The bidding for a visit to a Hollywood production set, offered by producer Ivan Doikov, also caused quite a stir.
An emotional highlight of the programme was the speech of Diana Bankova, director of Otets Paisiy School in Vratsa and alumna of the "New Path in Teaching" programme of Teach for Bulgaria Foundation. Her students showed their talent on stage, and she called on the audience to "support teachers who turn children's talents into achievements and chidlren’s dreams into plans."
One of the donors won a master watchmaker course from BESHA (the official representative of Rolex for Bulgaria), and the Villa Melnik winery honored the star who raised the biggest amount – BGN 20,000, namely journalist Mirolyuba Benatova.
The charity auction was held with the support of DPM Metals, Boyden, Kinstellar, Dar ot Bogovete, as well as long-standing partners Coca-Cola HBC, KEVA, and Villa Melnik. The evening was hosted by Hyatt Regency Sofia, with SEG as technical partner.
The Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum would like to express its sincere gratitude to members, partners, and supporters for attending the event, bidding for the stars, and generous commitment to the mission of equal access to quality education for every child in Bulgaria.
