Bulgarians Show Less Interest in Libraries, Museums, Theaters

Fewer Bulgarians went to the theater in 2009 than in 2008. Pictured: one of the most successful performances in Bulgaria in 2009, "Hashove". Photo by BGNES

The number of visits of museum, theaters, and libraries in Bulgaria declined in 2009, according to data of the National Statistical Institute.

The number of library visits in 2009 dropped by 14 000 (0.5%), visits to museums – by 258 000 (5.6%), and to theaters – by 68 000 (4.1%), the statistic shows.

In 2009, Bulgaria’s 47 largest libraries had a total of 35 million volumes, 52% of which are books; and a total of 233 000 registered readers, which is 7.9% fewer than in 2008.

Bulgaria’s National Library St. Cyril and St. Methodius has a total of 7 700 000 volumes, with 57 000 new books in 2009.

Bulgaria had 231 functioning museums in 2009; 97 of those are history museums, and 39 – art galleries.

Bulgarian theaters made 11 038 performances in 2009, which were seen by 1 611 000 spectators.

The average annual number of visitors per theater dropped from 22 000 to 20 000, and the average number of viewers per performance declined from 154 to 146.

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