Култура

"Once upon a time there was a theatre..."
Thus, as a fairy tale, the performance began, with which on June 29 the amateur theater at the community center "Otets Paisiy" celebrated its centennial anniversary. For 100 years the amateurs have played over 120 productions, reported the vice-president of the community center and head of the theatre collective Tsvetan Kotev. He recalled the names of the plays and of over 150 actors who connected their lives with the local theater scene and thanked everyone who helped to repair the community center building. We celebrate our centenary in one year with the National Theatre "Ivan Vazov" - Sofia and maybe our theater is future national, wished Tsvetan Kotev in the presence of the director of the National Theatre Prof. C. Stefanov, who was a guest at the premiere. And then the lights in the salon went out to start the "100 year funny theater" - a unique spectacle, whose composition, lyrics, scenography and staging Marius Donkin created especially in honor of the significant anniversary. First on the stage came the theater-veterans Lili Racheva, Eli Yaneva-Zisova, Stefan Sestrimski and Hristo Semerdzhiev - so that in their face we can worship the generations of amateurs, and they in turn leave on the stage the flame of a lit candle...
"Let's wet our spirit in the cheerfulness" - these words from "Bulgarians of old" describe the task and the spirit of the performance. It is a real "funny ignominious game" that, with texts from more than a century ago, turns the mirror to our Bulgarian spirit, life and identity. In a brilliant way, Tsvetan Kotev and Boyan Karailiev entered the images of Hadji Gencho and Grandpa Lieben - both Bulgarians from old times, repeating the Hushovian "Long live Bulgaria!", and our contemporaries, singing as football fans "Beat the woman on the head". They were partnered by Annie Stankova as the Hadjiika and Ginka Kaffedjieva as Libenitza, as well as by Vanya Vetsova and Vili Atanasova, famous for their musical abilities and stage presence. Pavel Gaydev was equally convincing as Pop Ercho, professing the maxim "Every living person drinks!" and as summarizing the life rules of Hadji Gencho. And the thoughts that have come through the centuries such as "Whose people stand idiots at the head, only God keep it!" were naturally sent with applause from the audience.
The star in the second part of the production was Rositsa Paunova in the role of the more European Tsvetana. Then the familiar and beloved text of D.C.'s "Crew-Understood Civilization." Voynikov was recreated in a new way on the stage of the Velingrad community center: Pavel Gaydev got on heels to play Anka, and Rositsa Paunova drove roller skates in the role of Monsieur Margaridi. And since everything was presented with a sense of artistic measure, and words such as "Civilization is not yet in use" fully fit today's, headed to Europe Bulgaria, the audience loudly applauded the game, songs and dances of the actors. The merit for the wonderful musical layout of the spectacle is Plamen Petrov, and for the choreography of Rositsa Stoitseva.
The performance ended with the fire of the same candle left on the stage by the veteran actors, but already in the hands of 14-year-old self-made actor Mikhail Paunov. A symbol that is a sufficient guarantee that our hundred-year theater has a future. Ovations, flowers and awards marked the finale of the premiere performance. Baskets of flowers and written congratulations were sent by Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev, Deputy Minister of Culture Nadezhda Zaharieva, People's Representative Lydia Shuleva. On behalf of the Municipal Administration and the Municipal Council, Deputy Mayor Recep Hodzhov delivered a congratulatory address, flowers and a digital video camera. Baskets of flowers, greetings and gifts were presented by Dr. L. Krantev from "VITA" Hospital, I. Musova from Chitalishta Center, the boards of Chitalishta in Kamenitsa, Chepino, Karlovo, Sn. Veleva from the Historical Museum, ensemble "Pazardzhik", fund "13 centuries Bulgaria", and special greetings to their colleagues were given by Milosh Rabadzhiev and Gergana Popova. A basket of flowers from Georgi Naydenov was received by the director Marius Donkin, who was loudly applauded by the fans of theatre art in Velingrad. The chairman of the community center "Father Paisii" and longtime theatrical figure Dimitar Mechev was the first to receive from Ivan Trichkov an honorary sign on the occasion of the anniversary. He then presented honorary signs to over 30 amateurs, directors and friends of the local theater.
The big surprise of the evening was presented by Marius Donkin, Plamen Petrov and Ivan Kolev, who announced that tonight they have decided to establish a prize for high artistic and creative achievements in the theater. The prize will be annual and will be awarded always during the Festivals of Culture. For the first winner of the award, the three of them nominated Rositsa Paunova, who excitedly announced that this is recognition for the whole theater and all together will have a treat.
In the final, the ladies of the group for popular songs to the community center greeted the theaters with a song to which the audience also sings.
"Once upon a time there was a theater..." In fact, this is not a fairy tale, it is not past: there has been a theater in Velingrad for 100 years to this day. There will be tomorrow. Not only because "As long as mankind is sick, the theater will cure it!". And because here - on the stage and in the salon, there are the people for whom the theater is love!
Elena Baeva