Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Protest, counter-protest outside National Theatre over John Malkovich production 

George Bernard Shaw's play Arms and the Man sparks violent nationalist discontent

Photo: BTA

A second night of protests took place outside the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in Sofia, but this time there were no physical confrontations. The protest was again over George Bernard Shaw's play Arms and the Man, directed by John Malkovich.
Two groups of demonstrators rallied: protesters and counter-protesters, the former denouncing the play as "anti-Bulgarian", the latter expressing their discontent with the protest.


"I'm not Bulgarian and I can't imagine why this play, which is a work of fiction, set in Bulgaria, with quite charming Bulgarian characters, should be considered so offensive. I think it's a charming and funny play. It's a stage, not an arena," John Malkovich told the national media.


Many actors, including Teodora Duhovnikova, Julian Vergov and Darin Angelov, as well as politicians, turned up to support the cast and director of the show. The Mayor of Sofia, Vasil Terziev, said: "It is important to protest and to express one's opinion, but in a civilised way.

John Malkovich in the auditorium of the National Theatre.

Photos: BTA


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

The animals at the Burgas Zoo welcome Santa Claus

Santa Claus arrives today at the Burgas Zoo to give Christmas presents to the animals, the press center of Burgas Municipality reported. There will also be a tour of the zoo, as well as a zoo quiz with gifts for the children. The children will be..

published on 12/25/24 6:45 AM

Rain and snow expected on Christmas Day

On Wednesday, cold air will invade the country from the north-northeast. It will be cloudy. Rain is in the forecast for almost all Bulgarian regions. There will be significant precipitation in some places. It will snow in the Pre-Balkans and on..

published on 12/24/24 5:20 PM
 Petar Teodosiev

Bulgarian scientists start work on a project for cleaner transport and energy

From the beginning of 2025, Bulgarian scientists will work on a large-scale project related to hydrogen and hydrogen technologies to help develop cleaner transport and energy, science communicator Petar Teodosiev said in an interview for BNR.  In his..

published on 12/24/24 4:26 PM