Spring into summer
Bulgaria’s National Day celebration in March is an annual festival of liberation: firstly it mark’s the nation’s liberation from the Ottoman Empire; and secondly the diplomatic corps in London celebrates the escape from a long winter and welcomes the coming of spring. Every year guests are presented with the traditional red and white martenitsa tassels – a Bulgarian symbol of new life and good luck.

PHOTOS PIERRE DE VILLIERS

The Ambassador of The Ukraine Mr Volodymyr Khandogiy and Jayne Edwards (Royal Academy of Arts)