More visits to libraries, theaters, cinemas and museums in the country in 2023, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) reported on the eve of May 24, publishing basic data on culture in Bulgaria.
Towards the end of last year 189 independent museums functioned in the country. In terms of thematic scope, 101 of them are general, and 88 are specialized, including art galleries. In 2023, the movable cultural assets forming the National Museum Fund are 7,845 thousand fund units, and compared to 2022, their number increases by 43 thousand (0.5%). 472 thousand fund units were digitized, which is 9 thousand more than the previous year. Visits to museums in 2023 are 4,965,000 and compared to 2022 they increase by 24.1% . 15.9% of visits (789 thousand) were made on days with free entry. An increase in visits by foreigners was also registered in museums – by 356 thousand, or by 56.4% compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the number of libraries with a collection of over 200,000 library items will be 49. Their total fund consists of 35,901,000 library documents – books, continuing editions – newspapers, magazines, bulletins, etc., with the highest share in its structure being books – 55.3% (19,848,000), followed by other library documents (audio-visual, electronic, graphic and cartographic editions, microforms, patents and standards) – 29.5% (10,608,000), and continuing editions – 15.2% (5,445,000).
Registered readers are 270,000, which is 14% less compared to
the previous year, and visits increased by 15.7% and reached 4,337,000.
In 2023, 16,125 performances were organized in the 83 operating theaters in the country, visited by 2,249,000 spectatorswith performances and visits increasing by 22.2 and 31.5%, respectively, compared to 2022. The average number of visitors to a performance is 139 and increases by 9 people compared to the previous year. The distribution of theaters by type (see Fig. 2) and realized productions in 2023 is as follows: 38 drama theaters with 6,387 performances; 7 opera and ballet theaters with 1,002 performances; 3 operetta theaters with 464 performances; 24 puppet theaters with 5,785 performances; 8 drama-puppet theaters with 2,094 performances; 3 circuses with 393 performances.
At the end of 2023, there are 81 cinemas in the country, and 225 screens, with their number decreasing by 4 and 2, respectively, compared to 2022. There are 11 multiplexes and 57.2% of all screenings and 63.8% of visits took place in them. In 2023, compared to the previous year, screenings in cinemas will increase by 2.8%, and visits – by 15.6%. The largest number of cinemas is in the Southwest region – 27 with 122 thousand screenings, attended by 2,184 thousand viewers. 18 cinemas with 76 screens operated in the capital, where 2,117 films were screened.
In 2023, a total of 145 feature-length, short- and medium-length films were produced, including 48 for network, 92 for television and 5 for other purposes. There are 37 full-length films produced (19 feature films, 17 documentaries and 1 animation). The produced short and medium-length films are 108 (including 5 series with a total of 47 episodes), of which 7 feature films, 91 documentaries and 10 animations.
#Growth #visits #theatres #cinemas #museums #libraries