Karlovo as a Theatrical Stage: How Young Actors Breathe Life into History

When history stops being just dry text in a textbook and begins to breathe, speak, and sing, it turns into art. This is exactly the dimension of the work of the 'Mise-en-scène' theatrical workshop – a creative association of students from the 'Vasil Levski' High School in Karlovo, which transforms the city's historical locations into large-scale theatrical stages.

Under the guidance of literature teacher Hristina Tomanova, along with Ivan Ivanov and Veselin Mlyachkov, these young artists do not just recite, but 'bring eras to life.' In the chambers of Buhalov Inn, today's Romeo and Juliet seek their voice; in front of the Kurshum Mosque, the verses of Omar Khayyam echo; and in Kalofere, the words of Exarch Joseph intertwine with a modern understanding of struggle and faith.

The 'Mise-en-scène' projects are not merely school productions, but award-winning works at national and international levels. With its latest production 'A Dream of Paris' – a unique compilation of classical texts by Rimbaud, Saint-Exupéry, and Hemingway, supported by multimedia – the troupe returned with a gold medal from the international festival 'Young Talents.' Another successful project, 'The Project,' offered the audience an unusual look at the image of Vasil Levski, combining video impressions, holograms, and contemporary social issues.

Through the 'Gymnasium Fest' initiative, students step outside the boundaries of the traditional stage and enter the heart of cultural heritage. Whether it is a modern interpretation of 'Romeo and Juliet' or a dramatization of the poem 'The Spring of Belonogata,' the goal is one: to show that the past is a living dialogue with the present.

New challenges lie ahead. Following the success of 'Whisper from the Past,' the workshop is already preparing the project 'The Poet and the Storm,' dedicated to Hristo Botev, which will be presented in early January. This is proof that when young people have a stage, they do not only learn history, they recreate it.