Check out the Askeer Theatre Award nominees and see if your taste matches the jury’s
Academy Askeer will hand out its 18th annual theatre achievement awards on May 23. Considered Bulgaria’s most prestigious theatre awards, rivalled only by the Ikars, the Askeer awards ceremony is one of the much-anticipated events in the guild.
The awards ceremony will be broadcast live by Bulgarian National Television at 8.40pm on May 23. Young actress and director Diana Dobreva, whose Macbeth is nominated for its music and costumes, was commissioned to write and direct this year’s show. Like always, the organisers are tight-lipped about the specifics, but promised a memorable spectacle based on fairytales – with a Lynchean aesthetic. Dobreva was last year’s Askeer winner for emerging artist, dubbed “Rising Star.” Here are some of the nominated plays (in Bulgarian language) that you can see in May:
Ivanov May 10, at Ivan Vazov National Theatre Rarely staged in the past, Anton Chekhov’s Ivanov now tops the production lists of large European theatres. Ivanov is a young man whose creative ambitions have been crushed. He can neither overcome his dull provincial environment, nor does he want to fall prey to hypocrisy and cynicism. A young woman has ruined her life because of him and a second is on the way to doing the same. Unable to find a way out, he kills himself. This is the first time the National Theatre is staging Ivanov, despite the theatre’s long-standing tradition of staging Chekhov’s plays. Best Actor: Deyan Donkov Best Supporting Actor: Stoyan Alexiev as Count Shabelski Best Supporting Actress: Zhoreta Nikolova as Babakina
The Taming of the Shrew (premiere) May 10, 19, 26, at Aleko Konstantinov Satirical Theatre Director Marius Kurkinski returns to the stage of the Satirical Theatre with this Shakespearean comedy, which was one of the master’s earlier plays. The original play depicts a nobleman, Petruccio, who, for pragmatic reasons, marries a shrew – a loud-mouthed, intelligent and bad-tempered woman named Katherine. Some viewed its content as heavily misogynistic and a subject of controversy. But given that we can always rely on Kurkinski to supply an original interpretation, and knowing that critics have either loved or hated this last one, leave everything else you know about the play at the doors of the theatre. Best Supporting Actress: Vyara Kolarova as Lord
Lazarus and Jesus May 10, 18, at Sfumato Theatre-Workshop Based on Emilian Stanev’s apocrypha, Lazarus and Jesus aims to excite interest in the “damned questions” raised by the author and to argue against the assertion that Bulgarian literature is limited mostly to the regional and the untranslatably Bulgarian. Best Play Emerging Artist: Elena Dimitrova as Arma Stage Design: Vladimir Slavov Music: Assen Avramov
Three Sisters May 13, 21, 30, at Nikolai Binev Youth Theatre Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters is a play about the things that never happen and the sophisticated sadness and despair of the characters. Best Supporting Actor: Tsvetan Alexiev as Solyonii Emerging Artist: Yana Titova as Irina
Valentine’s Day May 22, at Little City Theatre off the Channel One of the most popular contemporary Russian playwrights, Ivan Vyrypaev has chosen for his play’s motto the words of an Arabian philosopher: “There are only two things – love and love.” The play is about three human destinies split by two centuries and brought together by these two things. Best Play Best Director: Yavor Gurdev Best Actress: Zhoreta Nikolova as Valentine Stage Design: Nikola Toromanov
Short Play for a Child’s Room May 24, 29, at Theatre 199 The play resulted from a fortunate – and unlikely – encounter between director Galin Stoev and playwright Yana Borissova’s debut text. The anonymous play won a contest organised by Theatre 199: after a bit of research, the jury managed to get in touch with Borissova, who had neglected to put her contact information in her submission, and Stoev, who rarely works in Bulgaria these days, picked it up. The result: one of the few commercially and aesthetically successful debuts in contemporary Bulgarian theatre. Best Play Best Director: Galin Stoev Bulgarian Dramaturgy: Yana Borissova
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Friday, July 04 2008
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What`s on in Bulgaria
Cultural Institutes
DANA KYNDROVA, LIBUSI KYNDROVA, OCCUPATION, NORMALISATION, WITHDRAWAL What: A joint exhibition of photographer Dana Kyndrova and her mother, Libusi, remembering the occupation of Czechoslovakia by the troops of the Warsaw Pact forty years ago. When: June 30 to September 19 Where: the Czech Centre, 100 Rakovski Str, Sofia
Art
SUMMERTIME-IV, PART 1 What: General exhibition – Bogomil Arsov, Rosen Rashev, Boiko Kolev, Stelly Grancharov, Dimitar Karatonev. When: June 24 to July 31 Where: Paris Gallery, 8 Paris Str, Sofia
SVETLIN ROUSSEV, THE GLASS PRAYER & THE MASTERS What: Two exhibitions are taking place at the National Gallery for Foreign Art over June-July. The Glass Prayer exhibition presents Svetlin Roussev’s newest works, interpreting the topic of the meaning of life, the mission of every person and his or her respons When: June 14 to July 14 Where: National Gallery for Foreign Art, Sveti Alexander Nevsky Square, 1 Devetnaiseti Fevruari Str, Sofia
7TH LESSEDRA WORLD ART PRINT ANNUAL MINI PRINT 2008 What: This international exhibition/competition aims to show no other art has such big an application in modern society as graphic art. Its goal is to bring together participants and works from all over the world and forge contacts between artists and connoisse When: June 11 to August 31 Where: Lessedra Gallery, 25 Milin Kamuk Str, Sofia
MOMCHIL GEORGIEV, FINE ART What: Momchil Georgiev was born in 1974 in Plovdiv. He graduated with a degree in metal works from the National Academy of Arts, but currently works in the field of fine art. In this new exhibition at Agora Gallery, Georgiev presents his most recent work. His p When: July 9 to 29 Where: Agora Gallery, 3 Udovo Str, Sofia
KIRIL GYULEMETOV – 70 YEARS What: Kiril Gyulemetov (1938–2004) was a graphic. He did etchings, engravings on wood (though more rarely) and lithographies. He drew for more than 45 years – landscapes, people, objects, and ornaments. Fine art he did with oils, and he usually worked with aqua When: June 26 to July 25 Where: Altera Art Centre, 36 Dragan Tsankov Str, Interpred, Sofia
MAYA KOUBRATOVA, TOUCH What: With this exhibition of sculpture the artist aims to share with the viewer moments, moods and sensations all expressed by the frame of the different female figures. Koubratova likes to experiment with materials and to create coloured sculptures that have When: June 9 to July 8 Where: Minerva Gallery, Grand Hotel Sofia, 1 Gourko Str, Sofia
BISSERA VULEVA, SEASONS OF THE YEAR What: The exhibition consists of oil fine art canvases and large format paintings. The seasons of the year are represented as fragments of landscapes, as close-up parts of expectations, hopes and emotions. When: June 10 to July 10 Where: Sofia Press Gallery/Bookstore, 29 Slavyanska Str, Sofia
RADOSTIN DAMASKOV, SCULPTURE What: Radostin Damaskov has a degree in sculpture from the Veliko Turnovo University St St Kiril and Metodii. He has been a member of the Union of Bulgarian Artists since 1987 and has participated in a number of exhibitions in Bulgaria and abroad, as well as i When: July 9 to August 8 Where: Minerva Gallery, Grand Hotel Sofia, 1 Gourko Str, Sofia
ALEXANDER IVANOV, 360 BULGARIA What: Exhibition of 120 photographs of Bulgaria shot by photographer Alexander Ivanov from a paraglider. When: July 31 to August 28, at the entrance of Morskata Gradina (the sea garden), Varna September 5 to October 3, at the Central Square, Knyaz Alexander I Str, Plovdiv Where: Morskata Gradina (the sea garden), Varna and the Central Square, Knyaz Alexander I Str, Plovdiv
ALEC FINLAY, PRAVDOLIUB IVANOV, THOUGHTS WITHIN THOUGHTS What: British artist Alec Finlay and Bulgarian counterpart Pravdoliub Ivanov explore areas of artistic collaboration, cognition, playtime, dialogue and subtle irony through a series of new neon and print installations, sculptures, wall drawings and live perform When: June 21 to July 26 Where: ARC Projects, 4th fl, 90 Vitosha Blvd, Sofia
ANATOLII STANKOULOV What: The exhibition is the latest stop of Anatolii Stankoulov on his trip around Europe over the past year, during which he lived, painted and exhibited his works in Paris, then staged exhibitions in Barcelona and Belgrade. When: July 21 to August 20 Where: Minerva Gallery, Grand Hotel Sofia, 1 Gourko Str, Sofia
SKA FEST What: The first ska fest in the Balkans will be held in Sofia in mid-July with the participation of Bibi Ribozo and the Banditos (Poland), Steff Tej Trio (France), 63 High (Greece), Svetlio & The Legends (Bulgaria), Root Souljah, Senior Buffo & The Synchronizer When: July 19, at 5pm Where: Blue Box Club
Live Music
DEF LEPPARD AND WHITESNAKE AT ARENA MUZIKA 2008 What: What could be a better way to kick-off July's music season! The two musical legends will play for the first time on one stage in Sofia as headliners of the Arena Muzika festival. It will be Whitesnake’s fourth visit to Bulgaria, but a country debut for De When: July 4 Where: Sofia’s Akademik stadium
Kalikara Rock Fest 2008 What: Manowar, Holyhell, Sixth Sense, Alice Cooper, Slayer and In Flames will be performing one after another for three consecutive days When: July 5 - 7
Lenny Kravitz When: July 27 Where: Sofia
piano concert of Petar Andonov What: piano concert of Petar Andonov, free entrance When: July 4 Where: Boris Hristoff Musical Centre
Jazz concert with performers from the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Italy. What: Jazz concert with performers from the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Italy. Tickets at five leva. When: July 5 Where: Boris Hristoff Musical Centre
Opera film evenings: the greatest tenors of 20th century. What: Opera film evenings: the greatest tenors of 20th century. Tickets cost one lev. When: July 7 Where: Boris Hristoff Musical Centre
Charles Gounod’s opera Faust, with Boris Hristoff (1959). What: Charles Gounod’s opera Faust, with Boris Hristoff (1959). Tickets cost one lev. When: July 9, 5pm Where: Boris Hristoff Musical Centre
MINISTRY What: First and last and on the top of it quite limited chance to see the US industrial metal band Ministry. The concert is part of the Arena Muzika 2008 Festival and the last tour of the band. The tickets are offered at NDK ticket desk and via ticketpro.bg at When: July 12 Where: Hristo Botev Hall, Sofia
BROOKLYN FUNK ESSENTIALS What: Brooklyn Funk Essentials will perform their mixture of jazz, funk, and hip hop especially for the Bulgarian fans. When: July 12, at 11pm Where: Social Jazz Club, Sofia
DUNAV STARS Silistra 2008 What: Dunav Stars is an international competition for performers of popular songs, aiming to discover young talents, aged from six to 25 years. The entrance is free. When: July 16 to 19 Where: Drama theatre Sava Dobroplodni, Silistra
GABRIEL & DRESDEN’S JOSH GABRIEL BULGARIA TOUR 2008 What: The two DJs from San Francisco Josh Gabriel and Dave Dresden are coming to the Bulgarian Black Sea coast for a hot all-night-long set. Tickets are available via ticketstream.bg at the price of 18 leva. Everyone who has bought a ticket at the preliminary s When: July 19 and 20, from 11pm to 6am Where: Surf Club at Cacao Beach, Slunchev Bryag (Sunny Beach)
JAZZ WITH BOBBY MCFERRIN What: A little bit of diversity comes with Bobby McFerrin in late July. The concert will for sure please the jazz fans with all the four octaves of his voice, which has won him 10 Grammy Awards. And let’s not forget that McFerrin gave to the world the unique hi When: July 21 Where: National Palace of Culture (NDK), Hall 1
World Beat Nights set the night on fire.. 
Cultural Institutes
Art
Live Music