An online petition, protesting the looming closure of one of the most popular Sofia theaters - “Salza i Smiah” (Tear and Laughter) has collected over 20 000 signatures and the number is growing.

Another 1 500 have personally signed the petition by visiting the building where the theater is located, according to its Director, Ventsislav Kisiov.

The problem arose last Thursday when the management of the community center, known as “Slavianska Besseda,” gave an ultimatum to the theater to sign a contract by the weekend, agreeing to pay the staggering BGN 360 000 a year or BGN 1 000 a day for rent. The amount is impossible for any of the financially strapped Bulgarian culture institutions.

The management of the community center sent a letter, underlining their conditions to the Ministry of Culture, pointing out the troupe will be evicted from the building if they do not agree to the new terms. 110 of the most popular Bulgarian actors are faced with the perspective of becoming unemployed. The theater has been holding performances at that location – 127 “Rakovski” street in downtown Sofia for 42 years now.

On Monday, Deputy Culture Minister, Petar Dereliev, defined the move of the community center as deadly attack against Bulgarian culture and an absurd act. The President of the Union of Bulgarian Actors, Hristo Mutafchiev, on his part, blamed the cabinet and its culture policy saying those in power have not done anything to prevent the situation, adding the so-called State Traveling Theater, had already been evicted from their location at the National Palace of Culture. Mutafchiev spoke during a Monday conference of the “Salza i Smiah” leadership.

The management of the community center is scheduled to hold a press conference later Monday.