Malkovich's Play Sparks Protests in Bulgaria

John Malkovich's production of George Bernard Shaw's play 'Arms and the Man' has ignited significant protests in Bulgaria, with nationalists labeling it an affront to the country's history and demanding its cancellation. During the premiere, protesters attempted to storm the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, accusing Malkovich of ridiculing Bulgarian ancestors who died in the Serbo-Bulgarian war. Malkovich rejected these claims, suggesting that the outrage was incited by far-right groups and emphasizing the play's anti-war message. He expressed bewilderment at the violent reaction, noting that it reflects a troubling trend of censorship against differing viewpoints. The prosecutor's office has initiated an investigation into the violent protests, which included physical assaults on theatre officials. Malkovich, who has staged the play before, asserted that seeking strict historical accuracy is overly simplistic, and he has never intended to insult any country during his career.