site.btaUnion of Bulgarian Actors Reports Power Outages, Heating Failures in Theatres, Unpaid Contracts

The Union of Bulgarian Actors (UBA) on Wednesday complained of power outages ahead of opening nights and heating failures in theatres. Supplies of materials and props have been blocked, shipping services denied, travel expenses, phone bills and work expenses unpaid, UBA added. 

The Union said that there are thousands in unpaid invoices and contracts to people who rely solely on this income - actors, directors, stage designers, composers, painters, choreographers, playwrights, stagehands, lighting and sound technicians.

The UBA stated that it has written to the Council of Ministers and the Culture Ministry asking for details of payments made under SEBRA [an electronic budget payment system] in December 2024, and which expenditure was paid, which institutes received approval for expenditure, on what basis they were selected and by whom.

The UBA presented a map of Bulgaria's drama and puppet theatres awaiting confirmation of payments for external services from November 2024 - for scenery construction, staging materials, and especially overheads and maintenance costs.