Boian Ivanov (Ruse)
Sava Ognyanov Drama Theatre – Ruse was the host of “Ruse Talks” 2023 in the end of April.
The event was two-days long and was dedicated to the life and work of Jura Soyfer. The official partners in organizing and holding “Ruse Talks” were Jura Soyfer Society (Vienna), TheaterArche (Vienna), Sava Ognyanov Drama Theatre – Ruse and International Elias Canetti Society.
Among the goals of “Ruse Talks” 2023 were to establish international connections with potential partners, as well as to discuss opportunities for joint projects and international co-productions.
The first day (29th of April) offered the official opening of “Ruse Talks” which included Sc.Dir.Dr. Herbert Arlt (Jura Soyfer Society), Boian Ivanov (Sava Ognyanov Drama Theatre), Ass.Prof.in Dr.in Dilek Altinkaya Nergis (Ege University, Izmir; Jura Soyfer Society), Jakub Kavin (TheaterArche, Vienna), Univ.Prof.in Dr.in Penka Angelova (International Elias Canetti Society, Ruse).
There was a meeting between partners and guests among which was one of the most renowned Bulgarian theatre directors – Yavor Gardev . Univ.Prof.in Dr.in Penka Angelova from International Elias Canetti Society held a lecture titled “Jura Soyfer’s Dystopias”, and the theatre critic and dramatist Krum Gergitsov gave a lecture about contemporary performances of the “Sava Ognyanov” Drama Theatre Ruse of Jura Soyfer’s works as well as his presence in Bulgaria in the form of plays translated and shown for the first time in Bulgaria namely in Ruse (that was “Vineta – The Lost City” in the 90s).
Then the theatre was an online host of the installation “Jura Soyfer Biography” by Sc.Dir.Dr. Herbert Arlt, presented in the context of the Leipzig Book Fair. The installation and the lecture were viewed by the guests before the next event.
At the end of Day 1 in the theatre Chamber Hall „Slavi Shkarov“ was presented the performance of „Astoria“ by Jura Soyfer, co-production of the Association „Transit“ and ODT „Apostol Karamitev“ – Dimitrovgrad, directed by Valeria Mineva. That was the second time his play is being performed on Bulgarian stage since “Vineta – The Lost City”.
On 30.04 three important discussions were held in the Chamber Hall „Slavi Shkarov“. Firstly was “Jura Soyfer’s Works and Changes in Europe” with the director of “Astoria” Valeria Mineva and actors from the cast of the play. Then was the discussion titled „Opportunities and Prospects for the Implementation of International Theatre Projects in State and Municipal Theatres“ with the moderation of Yavor Gardev, in which directors from Bulgarian theatres and playwrights took part. The third discussion was “Soyfer Theater Projects Online” moderated by Sc.Dir.Dr. Herbert Arlt. Ass.Prof.in Dr.in Rania Elwardy (University of Cairo), Univ.Prof.Dr. Knut Ove Arntzen (University of Bergen), Reinhard Fehling (University of Dortmund), Prof. Roberto Aguirre (Director, Teatro de Repertorio, Buenos Aires) and Tony Britten (London).
At the end of Day 2 Jakub Kavin in the Chamber Hall “Slavi Shkarov” was screening “The End of The World” by Jura Soyfer. The director Jakub Kavin was commenting on the play in real time adding context and additional information in both German and English for the viewers in the hall.