Podcast in English
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.

More from category

Temperatures will go down on Sunday, snow is expected in Northeastern Bulgaria

The weather will be cloudy during the next 24 hours. Snow will fall in the northeastern part of Bulgaria, which will spread to many regions of Northern Bulgaria during the day. It will rain in the southern parts of the country. Snowfall will be..

published on 2/15/25 5:20 PM
Rumen Radev (L) and Hakan Fidan (R)

Rumen Radev and Hakan Fidan discuss connectivity between Bulgaria and Türkiye

Expanding connectivity between Bulgaria and Turkiye is an investment in the development of the entire region, President Rumen Radev said at a meeting with Türkiye's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan within the framework of the Munich Security..

published on 2/15/25 5:09 PM

A new law will normalize pricing along the supply chain

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food will draft a law aimed at normalizing relations along the entire supply chain – from primary production, through processors, the distribution of primary products and food, as well as wholesale and retail trade,..

published on 2/15/25 2:50 PM