About
The first performance in Ruse took place on December 27, 1870. Under the leadership of the prominent Bulgarian revivalist and native of Ruse, Todor Hadzhistanchev, "The Tale of Rozhica," a dramatization by him based on the novel of the same name by Christoph Schmid, was presented. The performance was held in the hall of the famous hotel "Islah-khane" at the time, by the church choir society, whose leader was Todor Hadzhistanchev. Later, other plays popular at the time were performed, such as "Much-Suffering Genevieve," "Malakova" by P.R. Slaveykov, "Misunderstood Civilization" by D. Voyinov, and others. Among the participating artists in these events were famous Bulgarian revolutionaries who lived in Ruse – Toma Kordzhiev, Nikola Obretenov, Georgi Ikonomov. Women also participated – Mariola Hadzhistancheva (the first female actress in pre-liberation Bulgaria), Petrana Obretenova, the companion of Levski and Botev – the talented actress from Voyinov's emigrant theater Todorka Bakardzhieva-Dalgata Kosa, and even Grandma Tonka Obretenova. In these first theatrical performances in Ruse, the revivalist-revolutionary pathos of the Bulgarian Revival era was strongly manifested. At the end of the 19th century, various theatrical societies shaped the dynamic theatrical life in the city: First Bulgarian Theatrical Society in Ruschuk (1879), Benefactor Society "Iskra" (1880), Bulgarian Theatrical-Musical Society "Lira" (1891), Ruse Theatrical Circle "Victor Hugo" (1898). In this regard, the revivalist cultural center "Zora" also played an important role. Since 1902, the remarkable building, a pearl of Ruse architecture – the Income Building – has become the main venue for performances. In 1907, after several years of disputes, Ruse's theatrical figures united and founded the City Theater in Ruse, with Alexander Robertovich as the artistic director, who had participated in the famous troupe of Matei Ikonomov "Contemporary Theater." A theatrical committee was also created from prominent Ruse citizens, and the Municipality began to subsidize theatrical activities. For the 1910/1911 season, the great Bulgarian actress Rosa Popova was elected as the first director, contributing to the rapid professionalization of the ensemble. During the directorship of the distinguished actress, the plays "The Lady of the Camellias" by Al. Dumas, "Vampire" by A. Strashimirov, "Catastrophe" by M. Gratsia, and "Epidemic" by Im. M. Rassudov were staged. Rosa Popova played the central female roles in these productions, while the remaining roles were performed by artists such as Zhivko Ozhakov, Vasil Gendov, Sava Stoyanov, Todor Obreshkov, Pavlina Obreshkova, Parashkev Kozhuharov, and others. This was also the beginning of a turbulent and dynamic professional life for the Ruse troupe. On April 9, 1942, by decree of Tsar Boris III, the theater was declared state-owned, and since then it has been funded by the Ministry of Culture. It retains this status to this day. On the stage of t...
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DT "Sava Ognyanov" is received with respect as a theatrical institution with a clear presence and recognizable cultural value.
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