Ivan Vazov National Theatre [Sofia, BG]
Národní divadlo Ivana Vazova
Teatro Nacional Ivan Vazov
Theatre building in Sofia, Bulgaria
theater in Bulgarije
Ivan Vazov National Theatre
No heritage theatre machinery? Slope? The Ivan Vazov National Theatre is the oldest and most authoritative theatre in Bulgaria and one of the important landmarks of Sofia. It was built in 1904 after the plans of the Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Herman Helmer.
Following a major fire in 1923, the building of the National Theatre underwent a five-year process of renovation, when it received its present look, designed by the architect Martin Dülfer. In 1928 it was opened for shows with brand new technical stage equipment installed by the German companies Mann and Krupp.
Currently, the National Theatre has a main auditorium accommodating 780 people and advanced stage equipment; a chamber hall seating 120 and a stage on the fourth floor with a seating capacity of 90.
Built 1905-1906 for the Duchy of Bulgaria by Ferdinand Fellner & Hermann Helmer. Opened 16 Jan 1907 with Dobri Christov's Festive Ouverture, Ivan Vazov's scenic prologue The Fame of Art and Act V of Vasil Drumev's drama Ivanko. 1021 seats. Stage house destroyed by a fire on 10 Feb 1923 (auditorium also damaged because the iron curtain did not work properly). 1923-1928 building of a newly constructed stage house and a slightly altered auditorium by Martin Dülfer. 1972-1976 renovation of the stage house and exterior to the original plans by Ivan Tomov and Lilija Toteva (auditorium altered again, with only slight references to the 1906 original). Named in honour of the Bulgarian writer and poet, Ivan Vazov (1850-1921).
The construction of the new national theatre began right in the heart of Sofia, on the site of the obsolete Osnova (Foundation) wooden playhouse.
In 1972–1976, the building underwent a full-scale reconstruction led by Bulgarian architect Ivan Tomov and artists Zlatka Kozhuharova, retaining its original form as designed and constructed by Fellner and Helmer in 1907.
In 1972–1976, the building underwent a full-scale reconstruction led by Bulgarian architect Ivan Tomov and artists Zlatka Kozhuharova, retaining its original form as designed and constructed by Fellner and Helmer in 1907. The chamber hall seating 120 and an underground scene dock were completed. The auditorium, lobbies, foyers and the pediment over the central entrance were rendered quake-resistant using in-situ reinforced concrete structures designed to withstand an earthquake of 9.0 on the Richter scale.
In the air raid of Sofia of 10 January 1944, part of the auditorium was destroyed along with some of the adjacent rooms and the entire south wing down to the stage itself.