Apparently, the wine, women and mountains trio that most people mention when asked for first impressions of Bulgaria also applies to George Clooney and Brad Pitt. The two Hollywood hunks, along with Italian producer Monica Bellucci, are coming to the country for its Model of Bulgaria 2008 competition.

The pageant itself takes place on October 22 in Blagoevgrad, a city of about 75 000 people, of which 10 per cent or so are university students – undoubtedly providing both fodder for the model candidates, and an appreciative audience for the actors.

Along with Clooney, Bellucci and Pitt, model Katya Duneva, reported to be the third-most beautiful woman in the world; Mrs Globe 2004 Rumyana Marinova; actress and model Desi Zidarova and more are to be present at the event, ProFile Agency wrote in an October 10 press release.

The first round of the Model of Bulgaria competition takes place on October 11 at the Sofia club Bacardi. This is the first year that such a competition is being held. Entrants are to be between 16 and 25 years of age, between 1.70 and 1.80 metres tall, and have measurements of about 90/60/90cm.