site.btaDiscussion at Ankara University Centres on Connection between Turkish, Bulgarian Theatre

The relationship between theatre in Turkiye and Bulgaria, the development of theatrical genres in both countries, and the language and themes presented on stage were the subject of a discussion at Ankara University, organized jointly with the Embassy of Bulgaria in Ankara. The discussion took place during a meet-and-greet with theatre director and current director of the Vratsa Theatre, Vladlen Alexandrov, who has been staging his plays in Turkiye for more than two decades. The discussion was moderated by Prof. Huseyin Mevsim, a lecturer at the university and head of the Bulgarian Language and Literature programme. Themed "A Bulgarian Director on Theatre Stages," the event brought together members of the academic community, students, diplomats, and members of the Bulgarian community.

The discussion traced Alexandrov’s work in Turkiye back to 2001, when he staged his first play in the country, up to the present, when his productions are widely recognized on theatre posters in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Trabzon. On November 19, Alexandrov will premiere his production of Gogol’s Dead Souls in Türkiye. The students at the discussion were also curious about how preparations for the new staging are going.

"I want to tell them that theatre is a treasure, that it is an incredible experience, and that it is an important encounter in their lives," Alexandrov told the Bulgarian News Agency. He added that full auditoriums in both Bulgaria and Turkiye demonstrate the powerful connection between live art and its audience. The most important thing is that they nurture a love for theatre in themselves and remain true to it for years to come, Alexandrov said.

"These meetings are vital because our students get the opportunity to hear Bulgarian. They also allow students to engage with literature, theatre, and other arts. Most importantly, in my opinion, these meetings provide direct contact with the director, as in today’s meeting; or with a writer or poet. I think this makes them not only important but also very valuable for our students," Prof. Mevsim said.

"Our faculty is one of the largest in Turkiye in terms of social sciences and humanities. We teach nearly 70 languages and have around 50 active programmes," Prof. Irfan Albayrak, Dean of the Faculty of Languages, History, and Geography, noted. He said that the Department of Slavic Languages and Literature is part of the faculty, adding that Bulgarian Language and Literature is studied as an independent philological discipline only at their university. The events organized by this programme aim to build a bridge between the two countries, Albayrak said.

"There has been incredible love and passion for Bulgarian theatre in Turkiye for 150 years. I would even call it a cult. The greatest Bulgarian playwrights have been staged hundreds of times. I think this guest was exceptionally well chosen," Bulgaria's Ambassador to Turkiye, Angel Cholakov, said. He also thanked the department for continuing to educate, motivate and inspire "these future architects of Bulgarian-Turkish friendship and cause."