Theme: COUNTDOWN

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia
89 B, Vitosha Blvd
Sofia, Sofia-Grad, 1463
Bulgaria

Ani Filipova

Banker, COO

Ani Filipova has reached one of the highest positions in Citibank, as Chief Operating Officer for Treasury and Trade Solutions, Asia Pacific region. In 2020 she took a 2-year sabbatical to engage her bubbling and never-ending creativity with environmental and corporate governance projects. “It is my time to give back”, says Ani, “by helping young professionals find their career paths.” She never thought she would be in banking. Her career was a by-product of a deep passion she had at the time. Born behind the “iron curtain” Ani wanted to travel, to see new places, to learn about foreign cultures. Becoming a banker was “plan B” for her . She joined a local Bulgarian bank first and then she rapidly started moving to her stellar international banking career. Everything accelerated in her life – she has been to more than 80 countries in the world – half of these visited on business. She lived in Sofia, Bucharest, London, Singapore and Hong Kong, and at present her home is in Athens.

Anna & Gianfranco Chiarini

Chefs

World-renowned chef Gianfranco Chiarini together with his life partner Anna are a culinary force to be reckoned with. Their vast experience includes working in Michelin-starred venues, 5-star hotels and cruise ships in 114 countries around the world, cooking for heads of state and celebrities, appearing in international TV shows and on the covers of prestigious gourmet magazines – and more. This stellar career has led them to Bulgaria and inspired them to settle down in the tiny village of Devino with only 10 inhabitants, some 50 km east from Veliko Tarnovo. They have bought the building of the abandoned village school, which they renovated with much expertise and love, to host their home and their restaurant with a million dollar view! Its name is Dieci - meaning ‘10’ in Italian - as it has a set 10-course degustation menu and a seating for only 10 guests at a time. Today Dieci is fully booked for months ahead and is hoping to bring Bulgaria’s first Michelin star.

Dance Station

Dancers / performers

Dance Station dance studios were established in September 2014, with the help and support from friends and family. Currently, the brand has three locations in two cities in Bulgaria - Sofia and Plovdiv. Their vision for development includes coverage of different needs and interests of diverse audiences. Dance Station tend to offer cultural, educational and sports/recreational services in the cultural dance sector. The dance centres offer an extensive team of teachers with enviable performing and teaching backgrounds, 9 perfectly equipped halls for different dance styles. Dance Station teach children, as well as adults. They are also leaders in dance show programs for private and business clients, they stage numerous events and make impressive commercials.

Nathan Spees

Youth Coach & Educator

Nate’s background is in biology, environmental science and non-formal outdoor and experiential education. He worked for the US Environmental Protection Agency and he spent 6 years in Alaska developing community-based environmental programs, before moving to Austria. In 2010 he and 7 teenagers launched “Generation Earth” - a network for young people who inspire, motivate, educate and take action for the future of our planet. In 2014 he was elected to join WWF’s Global Education Leadership Group (ELG) and has since co-chaired the Global Youth Task Force responsible for developing and implementing WWF’s Strategy for Youth Empowerment, Leadership and Action. In 2020 Nathan took on the lead role in an EU project “Eat4Change”. Together with WWF and AIESEC they are expanding the reach of youth empowerment programs in Europe as well as engaging youth in the topics of climate protection and sustainable diets.

Nevena Nikolova

Fashion Designer & Couturier

A piano player from an early age, Nevena grew up in an artistic family and initially pursued a career in languages. She studied Scandinavian Languages at Sofia University and graduated in Cognitive Science from the University of Oslo. At the age of 27 her passion for creation and her lifelong hobby took over and she founded NEVENA COUTURE. For over two decades Nevena has been creating beautiful, timeless, versatile, high quality pieces that bring joy and comfort not only today but are made to last for generations. Known for her outstanding craftsmanship, excellent fit and the use of exquisite materials, Nevena has earned a loyal clientele worldwide and international acclaim, dressing numerous celebrities, dignitaries and royals. Among other major publications, her work with lace has been recognised by The Daily Telegraph’s Fashion Editor, and listed among the 10 biggest brands worldwide. Most recently BNT nominated her as one of Bulgaria’s Favourite People in fashion.

Robert Wilson

Theater Director and Visual Artist

Robert Wilson works across a wide variety of artistic disciplines. He is an acclaimed director, stage architect, designer, choreographer, curator, visual and light artist. His productions have decisively shaped the contemporary aesthetics of theatre and opera. He has been honoured with numerous awards for excellence, including a Pulitzer Prize nomination (1986), two Premio Ubu awards (1994 and 1996), the Golden Lion at the 45th Venice Biennale (1993), and an Olivier Award (2013). He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the German Academy of the Arts, as well as holding 8 honourary doctorates. France pronounced him Chevalier des arts et des lettres (2003) and Officier de la Légion d'Honneur (2014), while Germany awarded him the Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit (2014). Wilson is the founder and artistic director of The Watermill Center, a laboratory for the arts in Water Mill, New York. At the National Theater in Sofia he produced Shakespeare's The Tempest.

Sarah Stoner

Director of Intelligence

Sarah Stoner is keen for illegal wildlife trade (tigers, elephants, turtles etc.) to be examined from a criminal perspective and to be treated as a serious, transnational crime. She passionately advocates for the greater use of intelligence analysis to tackle this type of crime. Sarah was professionally trained at UK’s Greater Manchester Police, working on serious and organised crime, including a Counter Terrorism Unit deployment. She developed an interest in conservation issues whilst working at the UK’s Wildlife Crime Unit in Scotland, which led her to an analytical position with TRAFFIC, based in Malaysia working on regional wildlife trade related issues. She currently leads the Intelligence Development Unit at the Wildlife Justice Commission. Ms Stoner has over 16 years’ experience working in intelligence and analysis in a law enforcement context. Focused on applying these techniques to help combat wildlife crime in the last 12 years.