The concept of "Chichovtsi" transcends the historical timeframe of Bulgarians who lived during the Ottoman era. These are archetypal images, deeply rooted in Bulgarian national psychology, timeless and still relevant today. One of the main themes in Chichovtsi is the longed-for Freedom—spoken about, waited for, dreamed of, but never boldly pursued. It is a desired yet absurd notion, due to the characters’ inability to truly grasp it.
Drawing from this, and the timeless musical language of Lazar Nikolov, the production team aims to create a parable about Bulgarians and Bulgarian identity that resonates today as much as it did in the past. The story contains two key elements that bring it closer to the theater of the absurd. One is the eternal "Waiting" for a messiah to come and solve social and existential problems on our behalf. The second is the absence of events that could change the story’s course—action is replaced by endless talking.
In this interpretation, the characters are placed in an abstract setting—an abandoned construction site, overgrown with weeds and left in ruins. They are the builders of Bulgaria who don’t know how to move forward. Instead of creating, their energy turns inward, and they end up tearing down their own work, embroiled in petty conflicts.
The visual concept is influenced by Brechtian aesthetics, where dialogue becomes central to building the scene. Gradually, the characters’ words and philosophies "clothe" the construction site, completely covering it by the end of the performance in a style reminiscent of Times Square advertisements.
In terms of theatrical techniques, physical and puppet theater elements are used to transcend the everyday nature of the plot, turning the story into a Bulgarian parable. The Chichovtsi, idealists in their pursuit of Freedom, ultimately find themselves incapable of achieving it. Freedom remains close, but in another dimension, just out of reach.
— Elena Stoyanova, Director
Watch the video about the making of the performance HERE.
