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

Borisov on his meeting with Trump Jr: Private meetings with the children of my friends

The leader of the largest parliamentary party GERB commented on his meeting with Donald Trump Jr., which sparked wide media attention in Bulgaria: ''Private meetings with the children of my friends, at an informal lunch which led to nothing-we just..

published on 10/8/25 12:19 PM

Budget payments for salaries and pensions have grown by more than 18%

"From the beginning of 2025 until now, expenditures on personnel, social and health insurance payments, including pensions, have increased by 18.2% compared to 2024", announced Minister of Finance Temenuzhka Petkova during today’s regular government..

published on 10/8/25 11:13 AM

The authorities will now fine merchants who do not display their prices in both euros and leva

On October 8, the two-month grace period given to merchants to comply with the requirements of the Law on the Introduction of the Euro expires. During this period, they were expected to label the prices of goods and services both in leva and euros...

published on 10/8/25 9:45 AM