Museum of Dolls, Varna

Overview

The only one of its kind in Bulgaria and one of the few in Europe, the Varna Museum of Puppets opened its doors on July 13, 1985. It was founded on the idea of ​​the playwright Veliko Burnev. The exposition presents nearly 140 theatrical puppets, as well as elements of decors. After a break from 1990 to 2002, it was again arranged by the artist Tsvetana Vekova. The exposition traces different techniques, styles, tendencies in the development of this peculiar genre of applied art, the author's handwriting of leading Bulgarian scenographers such as arch. Ivan Tsonev, Maya Petrova, Lyubomir Tsakev, Maya Kuzova, Anna Pulieva, Angel Nedelchev, Kosta Orthodox, Petya Stoykova, Encho Avramov, Vasil Rokomanov and others. Theatrical puppets from 24 emblematic performances of the theater, played from 1952 to 2002, are exhibited. Along with the traditional doll systems such as yawning, puppets, parsley, doll-masks, maniacs, of great interest are the mechanized dolls with harpsichord system, which are the oldest in the exhibition. They have been involved in the theater's repertoire since its founding more than 60 years ago. Their uniqueness is due to the complex construction and the drive mechanism invented by Georgi Saravanov - founder of the Varna Puppet Theater. This system of dolls resembles puppets, but unlike them, the driver is replaced by a keyboard and the doll is guided from below, below the level of the figure. Numerous national and international awards of the theater are displayed in three windows. Thus, the exhibition unites the creative efforts of authors, directors, actors, artists, constructors. The Puppet Museum participated in a special exhibition at the festival in Tolosa, Spain in 1994; at the 17th Congress of UNIMA (International Puppetry Union) and the World Puppet Festival in Budapest, Hungary in 1996; at the International Puppet Festival in Subotica, Serbia in 2005 The walk is accompanied by a fascinating conversation and enriches the theatrical culture of the spectators.