The book of Prof. DSc Kamelia Nikolova “Directors in the European Theatre” was awarded the IKAR Prize for Critical Text. The nomination was made by the Guild of Repertory Theatre Directors, Dramatists and Critics of the Union of Bulgarian Artists, and the publication – by the Institute of Art Studies of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, “Homo Ludens” Foundation and “Literary House” Association.

In her research, Prof. Nikolova examines the development of a director from his appearance in the 1870s to the present day. The historical conditions and aesthetic reasons for his formation are analysed, and then his manifestations and transformations in the main periods of modern European culture are chronologically traced. Each period is represented by its defining theatrical ideas, directorial names and their emblematic performances and staging concepts.

The book is the first history of European modern theatre written by a Bulgarian author, in Bulgarian. It is intended for theatre-makers and students of theatre and cinema, as well as for culturologists, humanities scholars and all those interested in contemporary arts and culture.

The IKAR Awards are presented every year on World Theatre Day, 27 March, and this year it happened for the 48th time.