Ivan Vazov National Theatre

Situated on the crossroads between Asia and Europe, the present-day Bulgarian territory has been inhabited for time immemorial. Bulgarians, Thracians and Slavs have left a vivid trace in the world cultural treasury.
It was here, at the magical Rhodopi Mountains, that Orpheus – the angel-voiced mythical poet and musician, considered the greatest poets that ever lived in Antiquity.
Each corner of Bulgaria has preserved inimitable high-valued artistic etalons of material and spiritual culture.
Well-known all over the world are the Varna Necropolis dated 4,000 BC, preserving the oldest processed gold in the world; the Thracian tombs and sanctuaries in Kazanlyk , Svestari, Starosel and Alexandrovo, with the numerous and world-famous Thracian gold treasures. 
Bulgarians have inherited this ancient culture and enhanced it with their millennium-long experience. 
They gave the world the proto-Bulgarian calendar, recognised as the most accurate in the world, the first ever Slavonic language alphabet, created by the brothers Cyril and Methodius, who were declared by Pope John Paul II “patrons of Europe”; as well as the Slav-Bulgarian translation of the holy books.
The medieval monasteries and churches are among the most valuable European samples, while the Rila Monastery stands out as the second largest on the Balkan Peninsula. Along with 8 other sites, it included in UNESCO’s list of cultural and nature heritage. The Madara Horseman, the Kazanlak Tomb, the Pirin National Park, the Boyana Church, the Srebarna Reserve, Nessebar’s Old Town, The Svestari Tomb, the Ivanovo rock churches are among the other cultural monuments included in the list of protected sites.
Small town-museums with authentic atmosphere such as Arbanasi, Bozhentsi, Etara, Zheravna, Koprivshtitsa, Kotel, Melnik, Nessebar, Sozopol and Tryavna draw visitors from all over the world.
Bulgarian folklore with its fascinating music, national dance and picturesque folk costumes is widely known and appreciated throughout the world. The renowned female ensemble of “Mystery of Bulgarian voices” perform traditional folk songs. 
In later years, Bulgarian culture has become proud of its achievements in the realms of literature, arts, music and architecture. Boris Hristov, Nikolay Gyaurov, Rayna Kabaivanska, and Anna Tomova-Sintova are among the biggest names in world opera.
Vladimir Dimitrov-Maystora, Zlatyu Boyadzhiev, Nikola Manev, Stoyan Venev, Dimiter Kazakov, Georgi Bozhilov, Gredi Assa, and Christo are some of the names of world-renowned Bulgarian artists.
In the Culture Section you will find updated information about the most interesting exhibition and concert shows in the capital, a program for the larger cultural centres, details on museums and galleries in Sofia, proposed package tours along the most exciting routs across the country. And many more useful tips...