Viktor Kurtiev is a Ukrainian entrepreneur, public figure, and politician of Bulgarian descent. He was born on September 5, 1979, in the village of Krynychne, Bolhrad District, Odesa Region.

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He graduated from Secondary School No. 286 in Kyiv and later obtained a Master’s degree in Physics from the Department of Theoretical Physics at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

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Viktor began his professional career in 2001 at Kyivenergo JSC and worked from 2005 to 2008 at Ukrenergo NPC, where he served as Acting Head of the Strategic Development Service. He was involved in drafting strategic development plans for Ukraine’s power sector.

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In 2006, he established the Metropoliya Group of Companies, which specializes in engineering and design solutions in the energy sector. He is a member of several professional associations, including 100 Re Ukraine, the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association, the Bioenergy Association of Ukraine, and the All-Ukrainian Energy Assembly.

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Viktor is also the initiator of the public organization Bessarabia Development Centre, which focuses on preserving the cultural heritage of the region’s diverse communities, supporting young talent, promoting sports, and restoring architectural landmarks. The Centre co-produced the documentary Place of Power (dir. Tetiana Stanieva), dedicated to his native village, Krynychne.

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He is also the founder of the youth NGO Energy of Movement, a co-initiator of the Re100Ukraine platform, and the president of the music festival Danube Sich and the ethnographic festival BessarabiaFolk.

Since 2025, Viktor has chaired the Supervisory Board of the OKO International Ethnographic Film Festival. He plays an active role in the festival’s strategic development and supports cultural initiatives aimed at preserving the multicultural heritage of southern Ukraine and advancing cultural diplomacy in Bulgaria and beyond.