site.bta32nd Varna Summer International Theatre Festival Begins

The 32nd Varna Summer International Theatre Festival opened here on Saturday evening with Ivan Vazov National Theatre’s Easter Wine.

"This festival is an emblem not only for the city of Varna but for the whole of Bulgaria. With its 31 years, it can be easily called a tradition renowned in Bulgaria and abroad," caretaker Culture Minister Nayden Todorov said at the opening ceremony at the Stoyan Bachvarov Drama Theatre. Todorov said that the Festival would not have been possible without Tzvetana Maneva, actress and chair of the Board of Trustees of the Via Fest Foundation, which organizes the event.

The Culture Minister said that Easter Wine was yet another performance based on Konstantin Iliev’s play, which was first staged at the National Theatre 31 years ago, the year the Varna Summer Festival was founded. Todorov added that the production involves personalities such as director Yavor Gardev, set designer Pavel Koychev, and actor Vladimir Penev, of whom Bulgarian culture can be proud.

Addressing the audience, Maneva said, “I love Varna so much; I love you and this building,"  adding that the Stoyan Bachvarov Drama Theatre was built thanks to the donations of the people of Varna.

Also present at the event was Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev, who described the Varna Summer Festival as "a good start to the summer season and the cultural calendar, which the city is famous for, and which makes it the cultural capital on the Black Sea coast". He said that the cultural events that take place in Varna are very important, and the local authorities have been working on their expansion.

Bulgarian Theatre Association chair Iriney Konstantinov said that the Varna Summer is one of the most remarkable festivals, noting that it will transform Varna into a European Capital of Culture in the coming days.

Via Fest Foundation Director Nikolay Yordanov said that the Culture Ministry and Varna Municipality have provided significant material and moral support to the festival team over the years. He also greeted the actors invited, who will be in the spotlight for the next 15 days.

Saturday’s performance starring Vladimir Penev and Pavlin Petrunov ended with a long standing ovation. Afterwards, the Fireter Theatre of Fire and Shadows’ show Snailmobile took place in Varna’s Nezavisimost Square.

The festival programme features more than 40 events, including some of the best theatre performances of the past season, and impressive international productions.