On May 24th – the Day of Bulgarian Literacy and Culture and Slavic Script – the "Askeer Academy" foundation presented its awards for achievements in theater arts during the past season for the 35th time. The ceremony, traditionally held at the "Bulgarian Army" theater under the motto "Lost in Translation," once again confirmed the spirit of the "Askeer" – awards "by artists for artists."
The jubilee 35th edition brought a historic precedent: for the first time in the history of the awards, five actors – three actresses and two actors – shared the awards for leading roles. This highlighted the diversity and strong competition in the acting categories during the season.
Grand prize for lifetime achievement: recognition for Maria Stefanova
The organizers awarded the grand prize for lifetime achievement in theater arts to actress "Maria Stefanova". The honor comes as recognition for decades of work on stage, character roles, and a presence that has left a lasting mark on Bulgarian theater.
An honorary "Askeer" was also received by set designer "Mladen Mladenov", whose work and artistic signature are an important part of the visual identity of numerous key productions. Thus, alongside the actors, the contributions of the creators behind the scenes were also highlighted.
Five winners of the awards for leading roles – an unprecedented decision
In the category for leading female role, the "Askeer" was awarded simultaneously to three actresses – "Elena Telbis", "Kristina Yaneva", and "Svetlana Yancheva" for their roles as Eida, Breta, and Klara in the play "The New Dance Hall" based on a text by Enda Walsh. The decision reflects the ensemble nature of the production and the strong partnership between the actresses.
Among the men, the honor for leading role was shared by "Atanas Atanasov" and "Ivaylo Hristov". According to the jury, it was their performance that set the standard for acting excellence during the season, and the dual awarding is a sign that the "Askeer" is not afraid to recognize equivalent achievements, even when it breaks traditional frameworks.
Rising stars and strong supporting roles
The award for "rising star" was presented to "Teodor Kisyov", who stood out with his stage presence and potential to become one of the leading names in the new generation of actors. The honor is indicative of the "Askeer" commitment to encourage young talents and give them visibility.
In the category for supporting female role, the award went to "Maria Sotirova". Among the supporting male roles, "Alexey Kozhukharov" was honored. These categories are often a litmus test for the quality of the entire ensemble, and this year they showed how strong the "second" roles are, without which the dramatic fabric of the spectacles would be incomplete.
Directing, costume design, and stage vision
The honor for directing was awarded to "Zafir Radjab". His work, according to the academy, is distinguished by a clear directorial signature, the ability to guide the actors, and to build an overall stage world that remains in the viewer's memory.
In the field of stage vision, "Marina Raychinova" was awarded an "Askeer" for "costume design". This recognition is a sign of the importance of visual details and the role of the costume in building the character and the atmosphere of the play – especially in a season in which many productions set high standards in scenography and design.
Best production and contemporary Bulgarian dramaturgy
The "Askeer" for "best production" went to the play "The In Love Airship". The prize affirms the production as an event of the season, which combines strong direction, compelling acting performances, and an overall stage concept.
In the category "Contemporary Bulgarian Dramaturgy", the winner was "Elena Telbis" for the text "Elephant in the Room". Thus, the actress received recognition not only for her acting but also for her creative contribution – a rare and indicative example of an artist who successfully combines acting and playwriting work.
The award in the category "monospectacle" was won by "Yavor Baharov" for "Three Kings". During the ceremony, he sent an emotional message to his partner on stage and in life, as his words "Thank you for the baby inside you" provoked smiles and applause in the hall.
"Askeer" as a barometer of the stage: what 35 editions have shown
The fact that the "Askeer" awards are presented for the 35th time shows the resilience of this format as a kind of barometer for the state of Bulgarian theater. The organizers emphasize that the honors are given "by artists – for artists," which gives them a specific weight and distinguishes them from other awards.
This year, the statistics – five winners of leading acting awards, a strong presence of young names, and the combined success of actor-playwrights – suggest that the stage is renewing itself without losing continuity with its great figures. The grand prize for "Maria Stefanova" and the honors for the new generation, such as "Teodor Kisyov" and "Elena Telbis", show a vibrant and multi-layered theatrical field where tradition and innovation go hand in hand.