NATFIZ Burgas: New Branch Opens

The long-awaited event took place today – Burgas officially joined the map of Bulgarian cities hosting branches of the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts "Krustyo Sarafov". The opening ceremony of the first academic year was held on the open-air stage in the NHC Cultural Centre. The air was filled with expectation and excitement; the presence of numerous officials underlined the importance of the event.

Official Guests

Among the official guests were Mayor Dimitar Nikolov, Rector of NATFA Prof. Miroslav Dachev, the Governor Vladimir Krumov, the Chairman of the Burgas Municipal Council Mihail Hadjiyanev, the Deputy Mayor "Culture and Religions" Diana Savateva, MP Lyuben Dilov, the Director of the Drama Theatre "Adriana Budevska" Ilya Pepelanov, Prof. Sevdalina Turmanova, Vice-Rector of BDU "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov", representatives of the Municipal Council and the Burgas cultural community. A special guest of the ceremony was the famous Bulgarian actor Rusi Chanev, a native of Burgas, whose presence further emphasized the connection between the city and the new academic institution.

A blessing, served by His Eminence Metropolitan Arseniy of Sliven, blessed the bright undertaking, and an icon of St. John was presented. In his address to the first students, Mayor Dimitar Nikolov, whose initiative led to the opening of the branch, made an appeal: "Follow your dreams, we are here to support you". "The city is happy when it has the opportunity to create conditions for the development of young talents", he added.

Rector Prof. Miroslav Dachev emphasized the significance of the moment: "Do not forget that you are the first. You are the beginning, you are the foundation. What prestige NATFA will have from now on in this city will be thought and spoken about because of you. You have this high and responsible mission. Let us be at the height and defend the name of the Academy."

The first intake of the branch will be trained in the specialty "Acting for Dramatic Theatre" under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Penko Gospodinov. The lecturers were also officially presented on stage: Sen. Asst. Teia Sugareva, Asst. Damyan Tenov, Assoc. Prof. Lora Mutisheva, Sen. Asst. Nadezhda Panayotova, Prof. Dr. Velimir Velev with Asst. Ivaylo Dimitrov, Elica Kostadinova, Milena Dobreva, Petya Ivanova and Assoc. Prof. Alexander Manjukov. The festive atmosphere ended with a concert by NATFA graduate Volena Apostolova.

The creation of the branch is the result of joint work between NATFA and Burgas Municipality, following a positive assessment from the National Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation and the official decision of the Council of Ministers of July 2, 2025. The Burgas branch marks the beginning of the decentralization of higher education in the field of performing and screen arts.

• Acting for Dramatic Theatre
• Management in Performing Arts and Industries
• Public Speaking
• Animation
• Management in Screen Arts
• Animation Direction

The opening not only expands the activities of NATFA but also establishes Burgas as an important cultural, educational and creative centre with ambitions for development at a European level.