The Stoyan Bachvarov Drama Theatre is one of Bulgaria’s most significant and beautiful buildings. It serves as the cultural heart of Varna, hosting theatre performances, operas, and symphonic concerts. The theatre faces Nezavisimost Square and is named after Stoyan Bachvarov, the first manager of the theatre.
Brief Historical Overview
The idea to build the Varna Drama Theatre belongs to the Mayor Ivan Tserov (1857–1938), who governed the city from 1909 to 1912. At the beginning of his term, on June 15, 1909, he submitted a proposal to the Municipal Council to designate a site and construct a new city theatre. His proposal was unanimously accepted. Tender documents were prepared and an architectural competition was announced. The project submitted by the distinguished Bulgarian architect Nikola Lazarov (1870–1942) was selected. The cornerstone of the building was laid on March 26, 1912, following a ceremonial blessing. With the outbreak of the First Balkan War in 1912, construction of the building was suspended, and this continued during the subsequent Second Balkan (Inter-Allied) War. In 1915, the design by architect Lazarov was revised by the city architect Angel Leonkiev, but no work was carried out between 1915 and 1918 due to Bulgaria’s involvement in World War I on the side of the Central Powers. The war’s end brought a severe economic crisis for Varna and Bulgaria, leaving the theatre building unfinished. In 1921, minor construction works commenced, and donation funds were established by merchants and entrepreneurs. By 1928, the necessary amount had been collected to complete the project. The Varna architect Dabko Dabkov was commissioned to revise the design and oversee the construction of the façades, while architect Zhelyazko Bogdanov was entrusted with the interior design. Between 1929 and 1932, the theatre building in Varna was completed. Stylistically, the building is designed in the spirit of French Baroque theatre architecture, featuring rich sculptural decoration and dynamic volumetric forms. The façade facing the square is conceived as a rounded corner with three grand entrances leading to a large foyer, above which, on the second floor, a vast ballroom was constructed. Rich sculptural ornamentation is present both externally and internally. The building housed the first rotating stage in Bulgaria, entirely designed by architect Bogdanov.
The first director appointed was the Bulgarian actor Stoyan Bachvarov, after whom the theatre is named today.
