The Power of Cultures: A Night of Friendship, Art, and Heritage at the British–Bulgarian Business Ball

Lady Colin Campbell is a longtime friend with Evgeni Minchev who organize this charity event

London, 2025 —In the heart of London, beneath chandeliers that caught the light like fragments of old stories, cultures converged once more — Bulgarian warmth meeting British grace. It was a night where laughter spoke in many accents, where tradition danced with modernity, and where the bonds of friendship were sealed not through words, but through the timeless language of art and generosity.

Lady Carol Caffin Parsons and Mr. Rodney Smith

I have always believed that much of the world’s misunderstanding is born not of malice, but of unfamiliarity — that empathy grows only when we step into one another’s worlds. That evening, at the British–Bulgarian Business Ball and Awards, this belief felt profoundly alive. The event, hosted by the charismatic Lord Evgeni Minchev, CEO and Founder of the British Bulgarian Ball, was a masterclass in diplomacy through culture — a celebration of shared humanity dressed in elegance and purpose.

Seated at the King’s Table, alongside H.R.H. Princess Katarina of Serbia, Lady Colin Campbell, Lady De Silva, and Elvijs Plugis, I felt the quiet rhythm of history weaving through the room. The air shimmered with refinement — the gentle chime of glasses, the swell of live music, and the subtle harmony of voices that spoke not of borders, but of belonging.

This year’s Ball was more than a glamorous gathering; it was an act of charity and connection. Funds were raised for air ambulance services, a cause as noble as the company it inspired. Beneath the grandeur, there was kindness — that rare and simple virtue which, like art, transcends all nations.

Svetla Evtimova, Rebeca Riofrio , guest with HRH Princess Katarina

On this extraordinary night, five remarkable individuals received the prestigious Friend of Bulgaria Award — each recognised for their contributions to culture, philanthropy, and international friendship. Among the honourees were Lady Colin Campbell, royal biographer and spirited chronicler of the British elite; Lady Carol Coffin Parsons, one of Jamaica’s most successful businesswomen; Tony Moore, legendary musician of Iron Maiden fame; John Conteh, the celebrated boxer and recipient of the Order of the British Empire; and Lord Martin Rose, whose influence has touched both the arts and humanitarian causes.

The evening unfolded in splendour. Businesswoman Svetla Evtimova, Chairwoman of the Organising Committee, opened the night with a heartfelt speech, followed by Lord Minchev himself, who quoted the philosopher Petar Danov, reminding the audience that “Bulgaria will spiritually credit the world.”

Ana Tchakarova and Vicheslava Tasheva

Mr Filip Slipachek and Margo Waldorf

The accordeonist Jesus Angelov

The programme shimmered with musical brilliance. Tony Moore and accordion virtuoso Jesus Angelov filled the hall with notes that lifted spirits high above the Thames. Polly Hubavenska’s voice inspired even the most reserved guests to join in a spontaneous Bulgarian horo — a joyful dance that spiralled across the floor in circles of unity and laughter. Stoyan Zahariev, performing his song Angelica in English, enchanted all, before unveiling a new repertoire that spoke to the heart of cross-cultural harmony.

Bulgarian star Stoyan Zahariev attended the Ball with his son Christian

Bulgarian singer Poly Hubavenska and her nomination for the Singer of the year awards

Rebeca Riofrio Chairwoman for the Parliamentary Society for Arts UK and Singer Tony Moore

Representing the Bulgarian side were distinguished figures such as Ana Mihaylov, Adriana Vasileva, Plamena Dincheva, Danaila Passia, and Julia Castelli, each adding a touch of elegance to the evening. Among the British guests, Prince Dima Ziadi and Philip Slipachek were seen enjoying the lively spirit of the night with their partners, joining in what became a celebration of friendship without borders.

For me, presenting an award to one of Bulgaria’s luminary artists was both an honour and a moment of deep connection — a gesture that reminded me of how art transcends all divisions. Though I am not Bulgarian by birth, I am profoundly grateful for the friendships I have found among its people. Their warmth, resilience, and passion for culture have long inspired me.

As the night drew to a close, with the soft echo of music lingering through the corridors of that private London club, one could feel that something enduring had been built — not a mere evening of splendour, but a bridge between hearts and nations.

For in the end, the power of culture lies not only in what it expresses, but in what it unites — the invisible thread that binds humanity in beauty, understanding, and grace.