Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

247 theatre organisations from 39 countries appeal to European Union institutions

MEPs discuss the nationalist violence in front of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in Sofia

Nationalists barred audience from opening night of John Malkovich's production of Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man

Photo: BGNES Archive

The clashes outside the Ivan Vazov National Theatre during the opening night of John Malkovich's production of Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man have prompted 247 theatre organisations from 39 countries to appeal to the institutions of the European Union.
"At the National Theatre in Sofia, a more than 100-year-old play set in a fictional Bulgaria was performed without an audience on its premiere night because of attacks from ultra-nationalist circles who physically prevented the audience from entering the theatre building," the artists said in their letter to the European Parliament, stressing that attacks on artistic freedom have reached an almost absurd level in many member states.


The theatre organisations call on the European institutions to take note of the nationalist attacks against cultural institutions and the arts. 

They add that what is happening is part of an organised strategy to subordinate culture to conservative and nationalist politics, which could lead to the undermining of the Europeana 1989 project to promote Europe's cultural heritage.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Sofia calls for immediate cessation of Russian aggression and provocations

Bulgaria insists that the Russian Federation must immediately stop provocations against its neighbours and aggression against Ukraine, as well as strictly comply with international law and the UN Charter. This was stated by Minister..

published on 9/23/25 9:12 AM

Prime Minister Zhelyazkov praises achievements of Bulgarian diaspora in the US

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov participated in a reception organised by the Consulate General of Bulgaria in New York on the occasion of the 117th anniversary of the declaration of the country's Independence. In his speech to the..

published on 9/23/25 8:53 AM

There is also a Bulgarian citizen among the hostages of Hamas, Prime Minister recalls

Bulgaria considers Israel a key strategic partner and our excellent relations could give a strong boost to the sectors of trade, innovation, education, agriculture and tourism. This was what Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said at a..

published on 9/23/25 8:41 AM