The Love-Struck Airship. The Poet’s Fate.

THE LOVE-STRUCK AIRSHIP

The Poet’s Fate

based on poems and memories by and about Ivan Metodiev, Dobromir Tonev, Miryana Basheva, and Grisha Trifonov

Conception and text: Aleksandar Sekulov

Stage adaptation and direction: Diana Dobreva

Set design: Vanina Tsandeva

Costumes: Maria Koleva

Composers: Sashko Kostov, Yavor Karagitliev

Choreographer: Olga Pango

Multimedia: Petko Tanchev

Photography: Georgi Vachev

Poster design: Ralitsa Ruseva

Cast: Konstantin Elenkov, Martin Rakov, Maria Sotirova, Boris Krustev, Paola Maravilja, Aleksandra Svilenova, Ivana Krumova, Nikolay Stanoev, Gabriela Chonina

"The Love-Struck Airship" is a performance about the difficult fate of the Bulgarian poet — about the complex and fragile flying machine of his life, which so often crashes against the rocks of misunderstanding and rejection.

But "The Love-Struck Airship" is also a performance about the eternal metaphysical power of Bulgarian poetry, which places it among the highest achievements of world literature.

The performance uses poems, interviews, and memories by and about Ivan Metodiev, Dobromir Tonev, Miryana Basheva, and Grisha Trifonov.

The project was realized under the program "SUPPORT FOR CREATIVE PROJECTS IN THE FIELD OF THE PERFORMING ARTS" of the Ministry of Culture.

Awards and nominations

Awards

• "Askeer" Award 2026 for Best Performance
• "Icarus" Award 2026 – Paola Maravilja for Debut
• "Icarus" Award 2026 – Sashko Kostov and Yavor Karagitliev for Original Music

"Icarus" 2026 nominations

• Best Performance in the category Dramatic Performance
• Konstantin Elenkov for Supporting Male Role
• Vanina Tsandeva and Maria Koleva for Set and Costume Design
• Masterful Technical Realization

"Askeer" Award 2026 nominations

• Rising Star — Paola Maravilja, for the roles of the Poet and the Beloved in "The Love-Struck Airship" and Aglaia Ivanovna in "The Face of the Neighbor" based on The Idiot – Sfumato Theatre Workshop
• Set Design — Vanina Tsandeva, for "The Love-Struck Airship"
• Costume Design — Maria Koleva, for "The Love-Struck Airship"
• Theatre Music — Sashko Kostov and Yavor Karagitliev, for "The Love-Struck Airship"
• Direction — Diana Dobreva, for "The Love-Struck Airship"