Atanas Ilkov blamed the head of the National Theater for the disturbances

“Perhaps, to a large extent, the added tension was caused by the inappropriate action of the director of the theater, who entered into negotiations with the protesters. Apparently, he did not appreciate the situation that there was tension in front of the theater. , this should be agreed with his colleagues to be under our control and to prevent escalation”. This is what the Minister of Internal Affairs, Atanas Ilkov, said in the program “The Day Begins” on BNT after the protest in front of the National Theater yesterday afternoon due to the production of John Malkovich “Guns and the Man”.

“This protest was announced, the number of workers needed was given, more than 60. After tension arose, additional forces were involved,” he said.

“Colleagues responded very appropriately to prevent the lives of citizens and themselves from being put at risk. We will analyze the whole situation and everything that happened, then we will say if there was any gap in the group,” said Ilkov.

No one was arrested for riots last night in front of the National Theater “Ivan Vazov” during the protest, Atanas Ilkov also said.

“Yes, we were informed that there would be such a protest, that is why we had planned more forces, but again I say that each situation is completely individual”.

“I cannot say that these provocative actions were ordered by political subjects or other interested persons, we do not have such information,” said Ilkov.

Yesterday evening, protesters gathered in front of the National Theater “Ivan Vazov” because of the premiere of the play “Guns and the Man”, organized by the director of the world and the actor John Malkovich. Protesters started gathering before 5pm, and later blocked the entrance to the theatre. The director of the theater, Vasil Vasilev, came out of the building and stood in front of the protesters, after which they pushed him and pushed him on purpose. They also released smoke in front of the entrance, where there are already people with tickets who want to see the first show. A large number of them gather at the side of the entrance to the theater and pass from there to enter for the play. The director of the theater announced that he would give the money back to the people who bought tickets and that the production of John Malkovich would be played only for journalists.

RThe stage manager Theo Ushev was also in front of the National Theater “Ivan Vazov” to see the production. “I was happy that on my last day in Bulgaria I could watch a production of the great John Malkovich,” he wrote on his Facebook profile and told how that night happened there. We were surrounded by neo-Nazis, who started beating us. Anyone with what they can,” said the director. Stones, objects, whatever happened to the “Proud Bulgarians” around us flew towards us, already towards the Union of Writers .The faces of these people cannot be described. They must be drawn.”