Charles III awarded two Bulgarians with Orders of the British Empire

The British King Charles III awarded honorary degrees to two Bulgarian citizens in recognition of their significant contribution to the strengthening of relations between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Bulgaria, reported the British Embassy in Sofia.

Stefan Kitanov, creator and director of the international film festival Sofia Film Fest, receives the Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award for his contribution to the presentation of British cinema in Bulgaria

Valentin Valjovski, gardener at the residence of the British Embassy in Sofia, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his contribution to strengthening British-Bulgarian relations.

Stefan Kitanov has made significant contributions to the promotion of British cinema in Bulgaria for more than 30 years, the British Embassy points out. In 1996, in cooperation with the British Council, Kitanov introduced Bulgarian viewers to Monty Python at a film festival dedicated to the British comedy group. More festivals followed with the participation of British films, which subsequently grew into the Sofia Film Fest - one of the most significant Bulgarian cultural events today and a leading film event in Central and Eastern Europe. Sofia Film Fest continues to showcase British cinema, including the British Council's Five Films for Freedom initiative.

The diplomatic mission states that for 30 years Valentin Valjovski developed and maintained the garden of the residence of the British Embassy in Sofia, which today many consider to be the best representative garden in Bulgaria. On an area of 1.5 acres, it grows 38 trees (13 species), 30 creeping roses (15 species in different colors) and 300 rose bushes (40 species), including typical English varieties...