site.btaToplocentrala Centre for Contemporary Arts Opens Autumn Season with Two Bulgarian Premieres, International Guest Performances

The autumn selection will present a mix of local dance performances, theatrical plays, concerts, and workshops for both professionals and enthusiasts in the field. Traditionally, every month the regional center’s stage will host world-renowned names from the independent scene, the Toplocentrala team announced. 

The season will officially open on September 2 with Raw Confessional Poetry — a performance by choreographer and dancer Galina Borisova, who chooses to distance herself from contemporary discussions related to politics and identity, the phenomenon of post-truth, and the rise of populism. “We deal with realism because it is actual, with naturalism because it is natural, and with brutalism because it is monumental,” says Galina Borisova. Poetic punk brutalism tempts the musicians from "Kake" — Andrew Anderson, Martian Tabakov, and Martin Penev — along with artists Galina Borisova, Elena Ivanova, and Nevena Kaludova, to probe together into the dissatisfaction with the surrounding environment as unnecessary negativity, proposing harmless protest suggestions without established slogans or manifestos, the Toplocentrala team comments. The six artists on stage perform spontaneous structured actions, without constant thought, narrative, or imitation.

Fire and hypnotic spinning will continue the history of dance with the multi-genre performance Pieta 2.0. The world-renowned dance artists Ziya Azazi and Marion Crampe return to Sofia with their project, seven months after its world premiere at Toplocentrala at the end of January this year. The performance explores the theme of human connection and hope for a better future, combining Marion Crampe’s aerial art with Ziya Azazi’s contemporary dervish spinning. Pieta 2.0 will be shown on September 10, 11, and 12.

On September 17, Romy Lauwers, part of the team of the world-famous Belgian troupe Needcompany, will perform Bobby - Here for You. In the solo performance directed by Peter Seynaeve, the artist paints a portrait of the inner world of a modern hermit set against the backdrop of the great challenges of the 21st century. After years of artistic affinity between Romy and Peter, a shared alter ego was born: Bobby. He has withdrawn into an apartment, observing the world through the window and walks on Google Maps. One of these predicts the end of the world, and Bobby finds himself in the role of clairvoyant, neighbor, and God.

On September 20, the premiere of the solo show Shadow will take place — a performance presenting the journey from the sweet world of illusions to a true encounter with oneself. Directed and performed by Ekaterina Veleva. Ten percent of every ticket sale will go to support Foundation A21, fighting human trafficking, and the Children with Oncohematological Diseases Association. 

The interactive dance performance Danceperimental (on September 21) will involve the audience as co-authors. The boundary between artists and spectators will be broken by an old telephone that challenges the audience to participate in creating the performance with personal stories, Toplocentrala notes.

In September, the cultural program will also feature music and dance projects Sotsa by Storycatchers, Ghost Villages by Miryan Kolev, Chain Reaction, Simultaneously – a suite for dance in present, future, and past tense, and theatrical performances Anna the Incorrigible, All the Great Things, Empty City, and Moment. Silence.