Ivan Vazov National Theater

In 1904, the Minister of Education, Professor Ivan Shishmanov, a famous figure who studied in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, at the wishes of the most influential representatives of Bulgarian culture transformed the public "A Tear and Laughter" theater company, which was privately owned, became the state-run National Theater. Construction of the new national theater began right in the heart of Sofia, on the site of the obsolete Osnova wooden theater.

The National Theater is named after the great Bulgarian poet and writer, Ivan Vazov (1850–1921), to whom his outstanding historical dramas, tragedies and comedies have contributed to the development and development. develop the wide and inclusive repertoire of the leading Bulgarian company. In addition to devoting himself as a playwright, Ivan Vazov is also one of the most enthusiastic audiences. Until the end of his life he had a permanent seat in the second row of the front stall, which has been preserved to this day and is marked by a plaque commemorating 'the seat of Ivan Vazov'.

The building of the National Theater was completed in 1906 and the opening ceremony was held on January 3, 1907. It was designed by architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer, who were extremely famous. famous in the early twentieth century created a fever by the buildings designed in the Art Nouveau style. The plane and walls of the seats in the theater's 848 auditorium were painted by the artist Rudolf Fuchs from Vienna.

Such famous actors as Vasil Kirkov, Adriana Budevska, Krustio Sarafov, Atanas Kirchev, Vera Ignatieva, Zlatina Nedeva, Ivan Popov, Geno Kirov, Elena Snezhina, Theodorina Stoicheva are the founders of the creative company of the National Theater. Poet Pencho Slaveikov as theater director and later, such famous figures as poets Peyo Yavorov, Nikolay Liliev, Geo Milev and director Nikolay Massalitinov brilliantly contributed to shaping the creative nature of the musical. Theatre.

In early 1923, fire broke out in the theater during a performance, engulfing the stage, part of the auditorium, and the cloakroom. This led to the company of the National Theater having to move to Svoboden Teatur and tour many other places in the country. In 1929, the building reopened after being reconstructed by German architect Martin Dülfer with modern equipment and the most advanced technical system at that time. At the time, the theater's auditorium had 1,236 seats.

However, during the attack on Sofia on 10 January 1944, part of the auditorium along with some adjoining rooms and the entire south wing of the stage was destroyed. In 1972–1976, the building underwent a thorough reconstruction to its original form directed by Bulgarian architect Ivan Tomov and artists Zlatka Kozhuharova. The auditorium, corridor, foyer and pedestal above the central entrance are structurally earthquake-resistant using in-situ reinforced concrete structures designed to withstand a magnitude 9.0 earthquake.

Currently, the National Theater has a main auditorium with a capacity of 780 people and advanced stage equipment; 120 seats lobby and stage on the 4th floor with a capacity of 90 seats. At the same time, the theater is Bulgaria's most important and representative theatrical institution with a permanent theater company and an extensive repertoire with more than 10 shows per season.

Website : www.nationaltheatre.bg

Phone : 02/8119 259

Hours of Operation :

Monday - Friday: 09:30 - 19:30

Saturday - Sunday: 11:30 - 19:30