site.btaState Officials, Politicians React to Thursday Evening Protest Outside National Theatre in Sofia

On Thursday evening, tension escalated outside the National Theatre in central Sofia as protestors tried to stop the premiere of the George Bernard Shaw play Arms and the Man, which they believe to humiliate Bulgaria. Police was present in the area, and despite the protest the play was staged and watched by a small audience, mostly comprised of reporters, as the protesters refused to allow ticket holders to enter the building. State officials and politicians reacted to the events on Friday. 

More than 60 police officers were at the protest in front of the National Theatre and reacted adequately, caretaker Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov said on Bulgarian National Television's morning show on Friday.

Ilkov said that authorities were officially informed that the protest will take place. He added that after tensions arose, additional forces were involved to carry out patrol activities in the city.

Asked whether the police officers on the ground had performed properly, Ilkov confirmed and stressed that they had done everything necessary to prevent endangering the lives and health of both the citizens and themselves. "No protesters or citizens who came to watch the play were injured," the Minister added. There were also no arrests. Ilkov assured that an analysis of the overall situation will be made on Friday.

The protestors called for the resignation of National Theatre director Vassil Vassilev. He tried to reason with the crowd but was assaulted by them and security guards helped him get back inside the theatre building. 

According to Ilkov, it was not appropriate for the National Theatre Director to approach the protestors. "I am not saying he was to blame. I am saying that his action was inappropriate, and if it had been coordinated with my colleagues, if it had been done in a slightly different way, perhaps tension would not have escalated," Ilkov said.

Sofia Regional Prosecution Office decided to address the matter with Thursday's clashes in front of the National Theatre of its own accord. This was prompted by numerous publications and media reports showing clashes between citizens and hooligan actions, the Prosecution Office said on Friday.

A prosecutor at the Sofia Regional Prosecution Office initiated pre-trial proceedings for a crime under Art. 2 (1) of the Penal Code, which states: "Whoever commits an indecent act, grossly violating the public order and expressing obvious disrespect towards society, shall be punished for hooliganism by imprisonment of up to two years or by probation, as well as by public reprimand."

The investigation has been assigned to the Interior Ministry's Sofia Directorate. If sufficient evidence is gathered to prove that a certain person is guilty of a crime, he or she will be held criminally liable, the Prosecution Office said.

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev told a news briefing on Friday that Sofia Municipality finds the holding of any protest that is not peaceful and that threatens the order and safety of all citizens of Sofia absolutely unacceptable.

Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev assigned the Interior Ministry to prepare a report on the measures taken in this situation. 

"Fists cannot be an argument in politics, much less in art: they're only allowed in boxing," he said. "I will ask for a detailed description of the event, of who and how handled their duties and their powers, especially the top brass," Glavchev said.

The Prime Minister said that the audience cannot be prevented from attending a play for which they have purchased tickets. "And it's not only about that: the rights of Bulgarian citizens cannot be infringed," he added.

The European Association of Independent Performing Arts (EAIPA) said in a statement that it condemned the open restriction of freedom of artistic expression that took place on the evening of November 7 in front of the National Theatre in Sofia.

The EAIPA called on all relevant authorities to investigate the case and to protect fundamental civil rights, protect people and fulfil their obligations in terms of public safety.

Speaking on behalf of There Is Such a People (TISP) at a news conference in Parliament on Friday, Stanislav Balabanov demanded the resignations of caretaker Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov and the director of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, Vassil Vassilev.

Balabanov was adamant that the law enforcement authorities had failed to protect public order and security during the clashes between theatre-goers and the mob trying to stop the premiere of the play outside the National Theatre.

TISP floor leader Toshko Yordanov said that people have the right to protest. "The National Theatre is not an independent theatre that can just put on any play it wants," he said, adding that as a state-funded theatre it has the responsibility to shape the national consciousness of the Bulgarian people.

Representatives of Vazrazhdane were at the performance of the play, said Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov on Friday.

"Yesterday, our MPs attended the performance of Bernard Shaw's play, directed by John Malkovich", Kostadinov said, pointing out that he has read the play. According to him, the play attempts to make "flat jokes with the Bulgarians" and shows ignorance of Bulgaria and the Balkans. In his words, Arms and the Man is mediocre and Thursday's performance "showed tragically helpless acting and absolutely inadequate direction". 

Kostadinov added that when the people "beat you up in front of the National Theatre, any reasonably intelligent person will find a very deep symbolism in it."

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On Friday evening, there was an increased police presence in front of the National Theatre Ivan Vazov because of expected protests around the second staging of the play.

People gathered in front of the theatre, but without tension, chants or clashes. For a short time there were disputes between several people.

Earlier, Sofia Police said there was no application filed for an organized protest on Friday, but police presence would be increased.

The two protests in front of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre ended without clashes. Police had separated the two demonstrations, and a cordon was in place for those who had bought tickets for the play to enter the theatre.