site.btaTISP Demand Resignations of Interior Minister Ilkov, National Theatre Director Vasilev

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, over clashes between theatre-goers and a mob trying to stop the premiere of George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man which they found humiliating for Bulgaria.

Balabanov was adamant that the law enforcement authorities had failed to protect public order and security during the clashes outside the National Theatre.

The action in the play takes place in Bulgaria, following the 1885 Battle of Slivnitsa during the Serbo-Bulgarian War.

"The theatre’s director is notorious for his actions," Balabanov said, mentioning a previous controversy following the hiring of a former Movement for Rights and Freedoms MP Velislava Krasteva as the National Theatre PR officer and sacking of "one of the icons of the National Theatre, Alexander Morfov". Balabanov said that November 7, the anniversary of the Battle of Slivnitsa, was not a fitting date for the premiere of such a performance. "But I cannot justify the protesters' violent behaviour," he added.

TISP floor leader Toshko Yordanov said that people have the right to protest. In his words, political agendas and ill-considered goals are often disguised as art. "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. Yordanov suggested that "it was not appropriate to stage a play on November 7, knowing that the Bulgarians are portrayed as cowardly" in the play.

The TISP floor leader said that the Interior Ministry was responsible for "what happened" Thursday night.