Trends in the Performing Arts Development Were Examined by the Third Forum for Sustainable Development of the Performing Arts in Bulgaria

The Third Forum for Sustainable Development of the Performing Arts in Bulgaria, organized by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bilyana Tomova Center for Media Studies, Audiovisual Policy and Cultural Industries at UNWE, Krastyo Sarafov National Academy of Theater and Film Arts, Prof. Pancho Vladigerov National Academy of Music, the Union of Artists in Bulgaria, the International Theater Festival: Varna Summer and the Bulgarian Music Association, examined the results of the national representative sociological survey on the participation of Bulgarian citizens in the musical performing arts, with a special emphasis on classical music. The event was hosted by Prof. Pancho Vladigerov National Academy of Music.

The results of the survey were presented by Chief Assist. Dr. Diana Andreeva-Popyordanova /in the picture below/, Director of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bilyana Tomova Center for Media Studies, Audiovisual Policy and Cultural Industries and lecturer at the UNWE Media and Public Communications Department - UNESCO Chair on Media and Information Literacy and Cultural Policy for Sustainable Development.

Photo by Georgy Petkov / STAGE Photo

She noted that the data shows a sustained positive trend in overall attendance over the past four years, driven by the gradual recovery of audiences after the crisis periods, and the growth of incomes. However, the attendance at the opera, ballet, and classical music remains critically low. Over the past year, 81.6% of Bulgarian citizens have not attended an event in the field of classical music, opera, or ballet even once. Only 13.9% attended between one and three times, 2.9% between four and seven times, 0.6% between eight and twelve times, and only 1% could be defined as a regular audience with more than 12 visits per year. Limited but positive progress has been reported - the share of non-participants has decreased by approximately 3% over the last four years.

The study reveals significant differences between the age groups. The highest levels of non-participation are observed in the 18-29 age group /85.9%/ and in people over 65 /85.4%/. In the 30-39 group  the share is 84.6%, and in the group 40-49 – 79.2%. The lowest levels are observed in the 50-65 group /76.8%/, which also emerges as the most active audience – 17.9% attend events between one and three times a year, and 4% – between eight and twelve times.

The main barriers include price restrictions, lack of free time, uneven access to cultural infrastructure outside the big cities, as well as deepening socio-economic inequalities related to education and income.

The study was conducted by Alpha Research in the period 27 February – 9 March 2026 through direct interviews conducted using tablets, and tracks the dynamics of cultural participation for the fourth consecutive year.

Photo by Georgy Petkov / STAGE Photo

The Forum focused on the current challenges facing the musical and performing arts and the necessity of targeted policies for sustainable development and expanding access to culture. Prof. Dr. Sava Dimitrov, Rector of the National Academy of Music, emphasized a systemic problem in the musical and performing arts sector - the premature entry of young performers into professional practice and the disruption of the relation between the education and the professional realization, which creates risks both for the quality of the artistic product and for the sustainable development of the personnel, and Denitsa Ezekieva from the Union of Artists in Bulgaria noted the right to culture of Bulgarian citizens as a constitutionally guaranteed right and the necessity of its real guarantee through effective public policies /in the pictures below/.

Photos by Georgy Petkov / STAGE Photo

The Forum was attended by representatives of the academic community, cultural institutions, professional organizations, and the independent sector.

The Third Forum for Sustainable Development of the Performing Arts in Bulgaria reinforced the role of the initiative as a leading platform for dialogue between the cultural sector, the academic community and institutions, a platform for knowledge exchange, policy formulation, and strategic decision-making in support of the performing arts development of in Bulgaria.