Statement by ETC Member Ivan Vazov National Theatre:
On the 7th of November, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre was attacked. Our audience was prevented from attending performances by what was said to be a peaceful protest. This marked the evening of the premiere of the play Arms and the Man by Bernard Shaw, directed by John Malkovich.
To this day, there has been no news about any arrests or accountability being taken for the unrest and assaults against people. Nor has there been any official information regarding the mastermind behind the “performance” that was staged outside the theatre building. We are still waiting.
However, we continue to receive unwavering support from thousands – people with an active civic stance, audience members, colleagues, and dozens of theatres and organizations from across the country, Europe, and the world.
The unprecedented pressure on the theatre, its actors, directors, and staff (a pressure that still persists to a large extent) triggered a firm response from society and the artistic community, which showed that such behaviour won’t be tolerated. Attempts to interfere with or dictate the repertoire of the National Theatre violate and restrict freedom of creativity, art, and expression as a whole. Any distortion of this message serves those who seek censorship. Art does not serve; it elevates society. Fortunately, many people know this and do not forget its essence.
That is why we want to say: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
We thank all citizens who took an active stance against the attack on the National Theatre and stood for the free choice we all have – to watch or not to watch, to know or not to know, to recognise the facts or fall victim to manipulation. And who understand that attacking, blocking, or assaulting physically others in disagreement is unacceptable in a civilised world.
We thank the audience, which was undeterred by these events, did not believe the disinformation, did not succumb to provocations, and continued to support us in the strongest way possible – by attending our performances. The most important evaluation of our productions comes from our audience, who has decided, continues to decide, and, we hope, will keep on deciding that the events taking place on the stage of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre are remarkable and worth experiencing.
We thank the cast of Arms and the Man for their professionalism, resilience, and determination in performing their first show under such extreme circumstances and under this immense pressure.
We thank all employees of Ivan Vazov National Theatre who faced this situation with composure and dedication to their work.
We thank the actors from our troupe, colleagues, students from the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts (NATFA), friends, and citizens who, 24 hours later – on November 8th – stood up for culture like no one else by gathering outside the theatre to ensure that ticket holders could enter the halls and watch the performances.
The response to the unprecedented attack was inspiring. And equally unprecedented – we saw actors applauding their audience to protect and guide them calmly to the stage.
We thank the Union of Bulgarian Actors for their stance and for calling on all theatres to read a few lines from Arms and the Man before their performances. This helped the facts reach many more people.
We thank all the theatres, festivals, partners and artists that stood with us and together resisted the pressure.
More than 15 Bulgarian theatres and independent theatre organisations, along with over 30 international theatres and organisations, publicly expressed their outrage and engaged their audiences with the topic.
“Such actions have no place in a democratic society based on the rule of law and mutual respect.”
“The essence of our profession is to tell stories, ask questions, and sometimes provide answers. Everyone has the right to experience art, to like or dislike it, but also the obligation to obey the law and respect human dignity – in themselves and others – to remain part of the civilized world.”
“We express our admiration and gratitude to all our colleagues on the stage of the National Theatre that night, who did not betray the theatre, did not fear, and did not give up. We are proud of their courage.”
“Banning plays leads us to darker times that evoke grim thoughts. Disagreeing with others’ opinions cannot justify physical aggression or attacks.”
These are just a few of the messages shared by Bulgarian theatres.
Letters of support, statements, and social media posts were shared by colleagues from various theatres, festivals, and NGOs across Europe. Here are just a few of the responses from the European theatre community:
“The European Theatre Convention stands with the Ivan Vazov National Theatre as it faces challenges to its artistic freedom and condemns the troubling rise of far-right groups across Europe seeking to limit freedom of expression.”
“The growing hatred and aggression in Europe represent a direct threat to the fundamental human rights that form the foundation of democracy. Freedom of artistic expression is a direct indicator of the health of our democracies.”
“We express our support and solidarity with the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, which is facing attacks on its artistic freedom. This is part of the rise of far-right movements across Europe, which are attacking freedom of speech on many levels and attempting to influence public debate through force.”
“The freedom of creativity and expression is the issue that truly unites us.”
“Art has no nationality, no race, no political beliefs. Art is a way to confront the inevitable end that awaits us all,” colleagues have shared.
The attack on the National Theatre in Bulgaria and the attempt to halt a play have rightfully garnered widespread media attention, both in Bulgaria and internationally. Here’s a glimpse of the global reaction:
John Malkovich Premiere Sparks Protests in Bulgaria– Reuters, 08.11.2024
Malkovich's "Anti-War" Comedy Infuriates Bulgarian Nationalists – RFI, 12.11.2024
Malkovich, Go Home": A Play Causes an Uproar in Bulgaria – The Times, 12.11.2024
These events have achieved something incredibly important – the entire society is now talking about art, its role, meaning, and purpose. Let this dialogue continue because only through understanding and discussion can we build a richer cultural environment for all of us.
THANK YOU!
Ivan Vazov National Theatre - Sofia/BULGARIA
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.
