A unique confession of the actress and her husband
Othe grandma of the National Theater Violeta Bahchevanova. She and her husband Vasil Stoychev did not like to be in front of a microphone or a lens. Who knows why, they were shrinking …
But for “24 hours” they only shared in a unique confession together with their colleague Dimitar Staykov – a famous theater critic, why they do not return to the stage.
We recall their confession. In their memory!
A gift!
Violeta Bahchevanova and Vasil Stoychev – winners of the Icarus Theater Award for overall creativity are the most remarkable family in our theater guild. In 1960 they got married while they were actors at the Burgas Theater, where they were assigned after graduating from VITIZ in the class of Prof. Filip Filipov. They leave their two daughters, Desi and Biliana, to choose a profession that draws their hearts, and so two more actresses are added to the family. Desislava marries the actor Atanas Atanasov – now a professor and lecturer at NATFA, director, with many awards, their daughter Alisa also became an actress.
Violeta and Vasil are inseparable in everything they do. As early as 1960, the National Theater invited them to a public debut and, if approved, to a full-time job there. Thus, the family remained on the first stage in our country until their retirement in the 90s. Beautiful and dignified, and with a wonderful sense of humor, Violeta Bahchevanova is sought after for both dramatic and comedic roles. Vasil Stoychev is her partner in almost every production. Their devotion to the theater is proverbial, so a big surprise for fans and colleagues was their decision not to go on stage after retirement.
– Perhaps the most important question that many theatergoers asked themselves – why did you both completely give up the stage after your retirement in the 90s? Have you consulted anyone? Did you never regret the decision, did you never long for the stage?
Violeta Bahchevanova: When the National Theater retired a large group of very talented actors, I internally hoped that someone from the audience, which for me was in the first place, would react in some way. There was no reaction.
So already
they did not miss us
Then I decided that we were finally parting. I had gained so much in theatrical life that it was normal for me for young artists to take their own path. I have not regretted my decision, despite many suggestions. I didn’t go to the theater for a while so as not to be tempted to return. And the pain in the theater will remain forever.
Vasil Stoychev: Even as students in the class of Prof. Filip Filipov, we were familiar with the tragic dismissals and retirement of some of the greatest artists such as Vasil Kirkov, Adriana Budevska and Georgi Stamatov, who did not return to the stage. A maxim suggested to us then that
“The actor has to
to know when to
get off the stage “
During the difficult years, when some of the most famous names of the National Theater were retired in groups and my wife became the youngest retiree of the theater, I did not want to bear the pain of these colleagues and I applied for retirement myself. And when Violeta decided to follow the example of Adriana Budevska and refused to accept offers for roles from many directors, I decided to be in solidarity with her and accept the maxim with which she titled her book that “we cannot do without theater, and theater maybe without each of us ”.
– Do you follow theatrical life, what impresses you? Do you have the same taste for plays?
V.B .: In order to have a rich impression of the theater at the moment, you should have watched a large number of performances, which I cannot boast of. But from those I have seen, I can say that it is different from the theater in our time. Not worse or better, but different and I have to get used to it. Vasco and I have very little differences in the perception of images and performances. And I find that natural.
V. St .: We got used to the academy and then to the National Theater to watch all our colleagues and to be interested in where what is played, who has what success – we traveled for premieres in the countryside, there were visits to Sofia and discussions of the theaters. We haven’t missed any of that! After our retirement, this enthusiasm diminished, but its fire did not go out! I have not stopped going to the theater, watching its productions and participating in all things related to the past and future of the National Theater. To all this now add and
our joy from
manifestations
on stage and on
the youngest
representatives
of the family
us!
– When I read Violeta’s book, I was impressed by her positive attitude to everything that happens to her. He never doubts behind-the-scenes cuts, never suspects hostility, hatred, betrayal, always gives a chance to the good development of things. How does she do it – did anyone raise her, did she think about these problems of personal behavior herself, did she have role models?
VB: My positive attitude is quite sincere. I think this is natural for a person who is satisfied with his work and so engaged that other manifestations have remained far from him. In addition, there was a reciprocity – our upbringing by the academy and personally by Prof. Filip Filipov made us show admiration and admiration for the creators of the National Theater, and they responded with a lot of love and care.
– What events and experiences do you remember most often? Do we believe that the past can teach?
V. St .: The best thing in the theater after the rehearsals and performances were the stories, memories and anecdotes about events on stage, told by our older colleagues. All of them, described in one book, would be the best and most unloading reading.
V.B .: I remember that we rehearsed the play “Battle on the Road”. The windows were open when a voice was heard from the theater yard: “Man in Space”! We rushed to the windows. We were happy and excited! And
when Yuri
Gagarin
arrived at
Bulgaria,
the whole theater we went to meet him. After a few years in Moscow, I managed to shake hands personally and take pictures with him and Valentina Tereshkova. After a while, they came and planted pine trees in the yard of the Yuri Gagarin school, where both our daughters studied. Gagarin remained in me forever. Only the name of the school was changed.
– What do you want the future to be?
V. St .: The future of the theater is inconceivable without the future of the country and our people! The world is big and beautiful, but the most important thing in it is peace!
V.B .: In this turbulent time, I want a peaceful future for our children and grandchildren. I grew up running down to the hiding places to the sound of sirens and falling bombs over Sofia. To this day, I can’t listen to the sirens on June 2. Therefore – to be at peace. Everything else can be achieved.
– Did anyone teach you to be a parent when you raised Desi and Biliana?
V.B .: We had not reached the science of “future parents” when our daughters were born. We studied on the go, already very involved in the theater. We were devoted parents, but we also relied on my mother and father, who constantly helped us.
I didn’t like it
to be
far from
our girls
I spent every free moment with them, but so far I haven’t had enough time together.
V. St .: The most important thing for the Bulgarian over the centuries has been his family and his great family! Unfortunately, today Bulgaria is losing both families and their children! When our career started, Bulgaria dreamed of its 10 millionth inhabitant, today we are already half! Hopefully a miracle will happen and that will stop!
– What are the secrets of a long happy marriage?
V.B .: Our “secrets” may not be different from those of any other marriage. First of all, think about the person next to you and your children, and then about yourself. Of course, you have to be ready for compromises, but ones that do not depersonalize you.
V. St .: For me, these are love, reciprocity and care for the other!
“Are you vain?” What do you advise daughters and granddaughters about beauty?
V. St .: Like all people in this profession, we are probably vain, and as for advice, we avoid it if we are not asked to.
V.B .: I do not think that vanity was the leading one in our country. But as for our work in the theater, when it came to the images of the stage, I would call it not vanity, but taste and sophistication.
“Violetta, are you willing or bored to walk home?” What sector of the household is Vasil responsible for?
V. St .: The household should not be divided into sectors! In our time, the help of the other is important in everything.
V. B.: We usually joke that
I am
the inner
Minister, and he –
Minister of
foreign affairs The tasks difficult for me outside are performed by him with enthusiasm. And I, as a workaholic, maintain the home and that doesn’t bother me. I often think after retirement that just like Strandzha, who instead of waving the flag at Varbovka, turns the spoon for hashish, so I, instead of going to the theater, now skillfully turn the house.
The worship in front of the great actress will be at 12 o’clock on Thursday (August 26) at the National Theater, her daughter announced.
– .
