The Varna Summer International Theatre Festival — Bulgaria’s most anticipated theatrical event — brings with it not only the feeling of a sea breeze, but also a carefully curated selection of the finest Bulgarian stage achievements, high-quality international drama, and outstanding guests from abroad.
The 34th edition of the festival will transform Varna, Bulgaria’s sea capital, into the country’s largest summer theatre stage from 1 to 11 June. This year’s message is shaped by the visual metaphor of Venelin Shurelov, in which the artist is both protagonist and hostage of the very system that presents them. It stands as a sign of the honest promise between artist and audience: a promise of sincerity, quality, and shared experience — one that continues even after the lights in the auditorium have gone out.
The opening of this theatrical marathon has been entrusted to the newest production of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre — Little England. Directed by Diana Dobreva, the production has quickly become one of the most talked-about events of the season and will unfold its visually powerful stage language on the main stage of the Theatre and Music Production Centre – Varna.
Among the key productions in the programme are Eurydice by Theatre “Bulgarian Army”; An Elephant in the Room and The Last Night of Socrates by Theatre 199 “Valentin Stoychev”; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Sofia Theatre; Velika by the Small City Theatre “Off the Channel”; Albion by the Nikolay Binev Youth Theatre; as well as the international productions The Tempest by the Hungarian Theatre “Tamási Áron” from Romania, directed by Viktor Bodó, recipient of the European Theatre Prize for “New Theatrical Realities”; Intoxication and Anger by the German media and performance collective LIGNA; and Illusions by Compagnie SPUNK from France, directed by Varna-born Galin Stoev.
They will be joined by emblematic productions that have received numerous nominations and distinctions over the past two seasons, including the richly humorous and ironic production And We Play Romeo and Juliet Too by Sofia Puppet Theatre; When the Roses Dance by the Aleko Konstantinov Satirical Theatre; and Darin Angelov’s one-man show I, Who Love You, featuring the digital participation of Tsvetana Maneva, Yavor Milushev, Julian Vergov, Ana Papadopulu, Daniel Kukushev, and others.
Once again, the festival will present the main tendencies in Bulgarian and international stage practice and will create a space for intercultural dialogue, exchange, and a professional performing arts market.
The 100th anniversary of the Varna Summer International Music Festival will also be duly celebrated with the concert Fusion by virtuoso violinist Vasko Vassilev and Spanish guitarist Carlos Llave, part of Intermezzo, the joint programme of the two festivals. The event is planned for 10 June at the Festival and Congress Centre – Varna, where the two exceptional musicians will present classical music, flamenco, tango, and film music in specially created arrangements for violin and guitar.
The accompanying programme, rich in meetings with artists, discussions, screenings, and street actions, will seek dialogue with audiences who wish to begin their summer not merely by the sea, but at the heart of a theatrical adventure — one that promises to move, provoke, and transform.
Tickets for the performances are already available at the ticket offices of the Festival and Congress Centre – Varna, as well as online at: https://fccvarna.bg/
The full programme is available at: viafest.org.