Bulgarian Cabinet Kicks Off Controversial Theater Reform

The theater in southern Bulgarian town of Smolyan is among those facing extinction by being merged with larger institutions elsewhere. Photo by Stoicho Bozukov / ImagesfromBulgaria.com

The Bulgarian government adopted a degree to merge a number of theaters and related institutions at its Tuesday sitting, thus starting its recently announced reform of state-funded theaters and music troupes in the country.

In the most high-profile mergings Salza i Smiah theater will be a part of the National Theater, the Smolyan Theater will be a part of Plovdiv Theater, Arabesuqe Ballet will be part of the State Musical Theater, while the philharmonic societies in Russe, Plovdiv and Burgas will merge into the local opera houses. Three further philharmonic societies – in Shumen, Vratsa and Vidin – will be transformed, and theater mergers are also mandated for Razgrad and Kardzhali.

The goal of the reform, proposed by Minister of Culture Vezhdi Rashidov, is to optimize Bulgaria's state-funded theater system and reduce spending by introducing cuts and mergers of theater entities.

The reform also involves a more flexible scheme of state funding of theater institutions, including delegated budgets and a stress on commercial profitability.

There is a perception that proposed mergers are mechanical and ill-considered. Some also fear that withdrawal of state support will prove adverse to the Bulgarian theater world and criticize the state's overall feeble commitment to culture.

A number of workers in the area of music and theater have voiced staunch opposition to the proposals. They have secured the support of some local authorities, including the cities of Plovdiv and Russe, which have a strong tradition in the arts.

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