"The theatrical models I have described go in different directions and cover the principles of interactivity and hybridity in this new form of communication between the spectacle and the spectator. The spectator is no longer the classical spectator, but a spectator-gamer, because the technologies impose a completely new kind of interaction. In 2004, I published my first article on the subject and received an invitation to a global conference. It said: 'Mr Velev, at the moment only six people in the world are working on the 'Philosophy of the Internet' - you are the seventh, please join us! Unfortunately, I fell ill and couldn't attend. Nevertheless, I was able to formulate what will happen in the future with the theatrical spectacle on a global scale and to derive the general laws and postulates.

Professor Velev's scientific research focuses on the impact of technology on each individual - how it changes the consciousness of the user, and what will happen to children in the future - will they sink into a digitally generated reality, or will theatre succeed in keeping them in the real human world? This led him to develop a significant number of future performance models based on combinations of expressive possibilities and the interaction between 'hardware-software-real environment' and 'viewer-user'.

One of these models is used in his latest project, in which a virtual platform overlays streams from several screens set up on different stages where three theatre companies perform their individual productions simultaneously in front of an audience. 

The experiment has aroused great interest because "the performances are live, and the very connection between the screens" creates a fourth theatrical work, one that stands alone and leaves the viewer with the impression that it was designed to be performed in this way. The project involves blind actors from the Unseen Theatre. "Their unique inner vision is something I still don't fully understand, even after working and training with them; how can you see nothing and at the same time see what you are creating and be able to control it?! It goes beyond normal understanding! - says Prof Velimir Velev.

"The other two groups were professional actors and my students. The students were curious. Young people, in my opinion, will always be the same - they are full of energy and open to play, perhaps because they are closer to childhood. They are also part of the 'digital native' generation, and in this challenge they were 'in their element'.

When it comes to the changes we can expect in the performing arts over the next few decades, the university professor is firm in his stance:

Theatre cannot remain as it is, but it will not disappear. Its demise has been predicted many times - first with the advent of cinema, then with television... video... Theatre has not disappeared! 

All these new channels of communication bring something new, and the performing arts are changing, but classical theatre in its age-old form cannot disappear, because it offers the audience a unique experience that cannot be replaced by technology. However, it will certainly branch out and take on new forms that will have different names. However, I must stress that technology is not my focus or my ultimate goal. It is just another tool that, if properly understood, can be used to create art.