ПРОГРАМИ
en de ru fr es sr gr al tr ro
Podcast in English
Share
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Protest, counter-protest outside National Theatre over John Malkovich production 

George Bernard Shaw's play Arms and the Man sparks violent nationalist discontent
Photo: BTA

A second night of protests took place outside the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in Sofia, but this time there were no physical confrontations. The protest was again over George Bernard Shaw's play Arms and the Man, directed by John Malkovich.
Two groups of demonstrators rallied: protesters and counter-protesters, the former denouncing the play as "anti-Bulgarian", the latter expressing their discontent with the protest.


"I'm not Bulgarian and I can't imagine why this play, which is a work of fiction, set in Bulgaria, with quite charming Bulgarian characters, should be considered so offensive. I think it's a charming and funny play. It's a stage, not an arena," John Malkovich told the national media.


Many actors, including Teodora Duhovnikova, Julian Vergov and Darin Angelov, as well as politicians, turned up to support the cast and director of the show. The Mayor of Sofia, Vasil Terziev, said: "It is important to protest and to express one's opinion, but in a civilised way.

John Malkovich in the auditorium of the National Theatre.

Photos: BTA

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.
Radio Bulgaria News    arms and the man ivan vazov national theatre john malkovich protests

More from category

Kiril Petkov

Part of the opposition will not support the vote of no confidence in the government

ITN continues to support the coalition agreement and to work with partners as a minority government. This was what MP Pavela Mitova said after the DPS of Ahmed Dogan announced that they were leaving the majority and the government of..

published on 4/16/25 10:38 AM

Thracian treasures that visited the USA are now in Bulgaria

All artefacts from the exhibition in the USA "Ancient Thrace and the Classical World. Treasures from Bulgaria, Romania and Greece" are now home in the respective museums. This was what Deputy Minister of Culture Todor Chobanov..

published on 4/16/25 9:02 AM

Bulgarian Parliament to discuss second vote of no confidence in the government

In its session today, the Bulgarian Parliament will discuss the reasons for the second vote of no confidence in the government . It was submitted by "Moral, Unity and Honor" (MECH) party to the National Assembly's registry last week and supported by..

published on 4/16/25 8:37 AM

WEATHER
Pick city: Sofía
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 8 | Max: 20
Overcast, rain
Min: 9 | Max: 15
Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 16
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 11 | Max: 19
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 10 | Max: 16
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 11 | Max: 16
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 11 | Max: 14
Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 17
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 8 | Max: 21
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 9 | Max: 20
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 11 | Max: 14
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 10 | Max: 18
Overcast, rain
Min: 11 | Max: 19
Overcast, rain
Min: 8 | Max: 17
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 10 | Max: 15
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 9 | Max: 20
Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 16
Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 16
Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 20
Overcast, rain
Min: 7 | Max: 19
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 6 | Max: 15
Overcast, rain
Min: 9 | Max: 17
Overcast, rain
Min: 7 | Max: 20
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 7 | Max: 16
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 8 | Max: 20
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 7 | Max: 17
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 7 | Max: 20
BULGARIA IN PICTURES
Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?
Yasen Gyuzelev
Theodore Ushev
Christo Javacheff - Christo
Ilia Peikov
Lika Yanko

BULGARIANS ABROAD

Български English Русский Deutsch Српски Français Ελληνικά Español Shqip Türkçe Română
MOST VIEWED

Blind ultrarunner Victor Asenov inducted into the Everesting Hall of Fame

Blind ultrarunner Victor Asenov has officially become part of the Everesting Hall of Fame, Sportal.bg reports. Between March 21 and 23, the..

published on 4/18/25 3:59 PM

Border Police: Traffic on the Danube Bridge in Ruse is limited to one lane

Border Police remind that major repairs are underway on the Bulgarian section of the Danube Bridge in Ruse, and because of this, a temporary traffic..

published on 4/18/25 10:41 AM

Temperatures will drop, it will rain over Western and Central Bulgaria on Friday

On Friday, the minimum temperatures in Bulgaria will be from 7 to 12°C. In Sofia, it will be around 10°C. During the day, the cloudiness over the..

published on 4/17/25 7:25 PM

english@bnr.bg

+359 2 9336 661

Общи условия за използване на сайта | Политика за поверителност | Политика за "бисквитки"