17 october 2026 Happy Smiles For The Children with "Hansel and Gretel"

Happy children’s smiles—sparked by an encounter with art created for the youngest audiences and infused with palpable love—served as the most beautiful decoration for the State Opera Burgas hall this morning during the ballet performance of *Hansel and Gretel*, directed by Maria Tabakova.
The children and their companions were enchanted by the fairytale atmosphere, the delightful costumes, and the inspired performances of the dancers, who used the language of dance to retell the classic children’s tale—adapted in a way that was both accessible and captivating.
Congratulations to all the wonderful artists of the State Opera Burgas ballet troupe! The children’s eagerness to take photos with them after the show, and their excitement to touch the characters they recognized from the story, served as the highest possible praise for the dancers. And there is nothing better, in complex and contradictory times, than for us adults to also believe in the messages of fairy tales—where Good, though it may face trials, remains ever-present...

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October 17, 2026, 11:00 AM, State Opera Hall – Burgas State Opera
"HANSEL AND GRETEL" –
A CHILDREN'S BALLET PERFORMANCE SET TO CLASSICAL MUSIC
Adaptation, Choreography, and Direction: Maria Tabakova
Costume Designer: Natali Markova
Assistant Directors: Lina Peeva and Petar Tiholov
Ballet Rehearsal Director: Kiril Filipov
Multimedia: Nikola Peshev
Makeup and Wigs: Kalina Popova
Wardrobe: Kicka Grozeva, Nedka Ivanova, Pepa Ruseva, Rositsa Atanasova, Yana Vlaeva
???? Characters and Performers:
• Hansel – Francesco Russo
• Gretel – Nanako Sato
• Baba Yaga – Polina Pasha
• The Evil Cat – Tiana Velikova
• Mother and Father – Laia Ramon and Kiril Filipov
• Dew Fairy – Sofia Ryazanova
• Cupcake Fairy – Raya Stanislavova (Forest Fairy scene: Giulia) Giulia Lezzi and Kalina Nedelcheva
• Cotton Candy Vendor – Naiden Naidenov
• Children: Giulia Lezzi, Raya Chakarova, Kalina Nedelcheva, Sofia Ryazanova, Patrick Gill, Haru Nakagawa, Shun Kawafune
• Forest Scene:
Giulia Lezzi, Raya Chakarova, Patrick Gill
• Mushrooms: Sofia Ryazanova, Kalina Nedelcheva, Naiden Naidenov, Haru Nakagawa, Shun Kawafune
• Cookies: Giulia Lezzi, Raya Chakarova, Kalina Nedelcheva, Sofia Ryazanova, Patrick Gill, Haru Nakagawa, Shun Kawafune, Naiden Naidenov