On February 9, during an official press conference, the Union of Artists in Bulgaria announced the nominations for the National Performing Arts Awards “IKAR 2026.”

The Nikola Vaptsarov Drama Theatre – Blagoevgrad received two nominations for Bulgaria’s most prestigious theatre awards for its production of “Dracula” by Bram Stoker, directed by Stayko Murdzhev.

Composer Petar Dundakov has been nominated in the category “Original Music” for his score for the production. One of the most recognizable contemporary Bulgarian composers for theatre and film, Petar Dundakov has long been a close collaborator of the Blagoevgrad theatre. Among the productions at the Nikola Vaptsarov Drama Theatre for which he has composed the music are “The Picture of Dorian Gray” (2019), “Doubt” (2022), and “Metamorphoses” (2023). 

The second nomination goes to actor Aleksandar Kenderov for his role as Jonathan Harker in the production “Dracula.” Kenderov is a young actor who graduated in Acting for Dramatic Theatre from NATFA “Krastyo Sarafov” in 2025, in the class of Prof. Ivaylo Hristov. He is currently a member of the company of the Small City Theatre “Behind the Canal.” Another notable appearance on the stage of the Nikola Vaptsarov Drama Theatre – Blagoevgrad was in the production “A Wild Tale” by Nikolay Haytov, directed by Bina Haralampievа.

The two nominations are a recognition of the consistent artistic vision of the Nikola Vaptsarov Drama Theatre – Blagoevgrad and of the high artistic standard of the production “Dracula,” which affirms the theatre’s role as a significant presence in the contemporary Bulgarian theatre landscape.

The “IKAR 2026” Awards will be presented on March 27 – World Theatre Day, and all nominated productions will be showcased as part of the 21st edition of the Sofia Theatre Showcase.