“The Hague” by the National Theatre conquers Temporada Alta in Girona

“The Hague” by the Ivan Vazov National Theatre conquers one of Europe’s most prestigious festivals — Temporada Alta in Girona

Bulgarian theatre is once again on the world stage — and not just anywhere, but at one of the most renowned venues for contemporary performing arts in Europe. On November 29, the play “The Hague” by the Ivan Vazov National Theatre will be performed at the acclaimed Temporada Alta festival in Girona, Spain — a forum that annually gathers the elite of international theatre, dance, music, and visual arts.

🎭 “The Hague” — a performance making its own history

The production, directed by Galin Stoev, is one of the most talked-about titles in Bulgarian theatre in recent years. Winner of the IKAR 2024 award for Best Production, as well as awards for set design and costumes, the play impresses with exceptional visual thinking, a strong ensemble cast, and dramaturgical depth rarely seen on Bulgarian stages.

“The Hague” has become a cultural phenomenon — a performance that does not merely stage theatre but creates an experience. This makes it a perfect fit for Temporada Alta, a festival known for its bold programming and boundary-pushing works. Founded in the early 1990s, the festival in Girona has grown into one of Europe’s leading platforms for innovative performing arts. It is a space where artists like Peter Brook, Jan Fabre, and Angélica Liddell have shared the stage, alongside emerging talents, showcasing daring approaches to storytelling and the social impact of theatre in today’s world.

This environment makes it natural for The Hague, which blends political undertones, psychological layers, and strong visual poetics.

The inclusion of the National Theatre’s production in Temporada Alta is part of its ambitious international program for the 2024–2025 season. Bulgarian participation on such a stage is not only a matter of prestige but also a chance to create new partnerships, international tours, cultural exchange, and global visibility for Bulgarian theatre.

For Spain, The Hague offers a glimpse into how Eastern European theatres tackle themes like institutional authority, morality, societal pressure, and human vulnerability. For Bulgaria, it demonstrates that its theatrical school stands shoulder-to-shoulder with leading European trends. Through its participation in Temporada Alta, the production engages in dialogue with the most significant contemporary theatrical practices. This is not only a triumph for one theatre but a testament to the vitality of Bulgarian culture as a whole.