A protest organized by nationalist organizations in front of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre last night against the premiere of Bernard Shaw’s play Arms and the Man, directed by John Malkovich, turned violent. The protesters occupied the entrances of the theatre building, stopped the ticket-holders from entering, and physically assaulted multiple people, among them the theatre’s director Vasil Vasilev who had come out of the theatre building to talk to the protesters.

National Theatre director Vasil Vasilev attempting to talk to the protesters

The protesters said the play was “outrageous” and demanded that it be cancelled, stating that it is a provocation aimed at smearing the name of Ivan Vazov, ridiculing and humiliating Bulgarians and tarnishing the memory of the Serbo-Bulgarian war, especially on the day of the 139^th anniversary of the battle at Slivnitsa. The protesters turned violent as the police attempted to form a cordon so that the audience can enter the National Theater building. Nevertheless, the premiere did go ahead, but it was only watched by a handful of journalists and actors, though it was streamed online.
“It is disgraceful for anyone to demand censorship in 2024,” said National Theatre director Vasil Vasilev in an interview with public service TV BNT. There was pressure for the play to be censored, and that is inadmissible, he said. As regards the protest he said: “I went outside to meet with the protesters with love in my heart, I urged them to allow this play to be seen and appraised. We can only talk about provocations in the play if we have watched it,” he said.

The play’s director John Malkovich told reporters that he had suggested this play because it was charming and amusing. “Strange times,” he said. More and more people want to censor the things they don’t like, John Malkovich said and went on that he had no right to censor even the protesters, and that it was his job to direct the play.  

Near the theatre building, the protesters physically assaulted award-winning animator Theodore Ushev on his way to the National Theatre to watch the play. Talking to the BNR, Theodore Ushev described the events of the evening as the Kristallnacht in Bulgaria, adding he expected frightening things to come.

The biggest network of public theatres in Europe, the European Theatre Convention issued a statement on the incident: "The European Theatre Convention stands by the National Theatre Ivan Vazov based in Bulgaria as it faces challenges to its artistic freedom, and denounces a concerning movement by far-right groups across Europe to restrict freedom of expression. European Theatre Convention calls on European citizens and policymakers to stand in solidarity with the National Theatre Ivan Vazov, as we continue to put the spotlight on the increasing restrictions of freedom of expression in a European context," the statement reads.

Arms and the Man is to be performed at the Ivan Vazov National Theatre again tonight, against the background of threats of another protest.  

Photos: BTA