Under the baobab: A view from Bulgaria and connecting with Happy Valley
I am in Sofia, Bulgaria, visiting this ancient magical and spiritual country. I witnessed its parliamentary election. The center life populist party, Progressive Bulgaria (PB), won in a landslide. Led by former President Rumen Radev and with a nearly 50% voter turnout, the PB won outright majority. It is predicted that this may well be the breath of fresh air which could end the country’s five-year political crisis.
We are filming a Netflix miniseries, “Boys from Brazil,” a five-episode remake of a ‘70s film about Nazi hunters. We are in Sofia. The city was named after a church that was first built as a Roman bathhouse under the Emperor Constantine in the 4th Century CE. (One legend claims it was built by the father of a princess in gratitude for her survival from an “incurable” disease. She recovered after bathing in its mystical hot springs).
The original film starred Lawrence Olivier and Gregory Peck. Peter Morgan is the creator of this modern version, directed by Alex Gabassi. I am privileged to be working alongside Jeremy Strong, Gillian Anderson, Daniel Bruhl, August Diehl, Lizzy Caplan, Shitra Haas and Paul Ben-Victor, portraying a NYC doorman who is supportive to the reclusive Nazi hunter, Strong. It is sort of like Dooley Wilson’s Sam in “Casablanca.” The series is scheduled for release next year.
Though the election is important, the headline news here is the expanding US/Israeli/Iran/Palestinian/Lebanese war. By creating worldwide scarcity it has drastically raised the price of oil and inflamed global inflation for most and profits for some. Leaders are beginning to focus on the cost of rebuilding and recovery. A UN report notes that over 1.9 million people have been displaced in Gaza. The report estimates the cost to rebuild Gaza is $71 billion and will take 15 years. The war has set Gaza’s development back approximately 77 years.
In the community
Penn State Centre Stage presents Kelsey Robins’ director project, the all-female production of “My Fair Lady,” musical direction by Julie Silvestro, choreography by Emily Moreland and featuring Livi De Maio, Katie Walsh, Sofia Warren-Fitzgerald, Sophie Page, Joelle Sellers, Emily Schiffhauer, Bella Murtoff, Anna Garcia, Emily Moreland, Annika Batavia, and Sam Harrison with keyboard artist, Connor Crotzer Scartascini. The all-women cast, with creative and innovative choreography and staging, reflected subtle and explicit truths about gender and class. The next production will be “Wild Child,” directed by John Simpkins.
The Paul Robeson Cultural Center hosted “Pride in Our Community” Pep Rally on the HUB steps with student performance groups. Earth Day celebrations were held in Sidney Friedman Park, Ross Student Farm and HUB lawn and Heritage Hall.
The Center for The Performing Arts joined the Arboretum, Palmer Museum of Art and PSU College of Ag to sponsor a Night at The Museum on April 23. The Print Factory in Bellefonte will host community open mic night on May Day from 6 p.m.
The State College Borough held their annual ABC dinner to honor borough volunteers. The Arnold Addison Award went to Linda LaSalle of PSU Student Affairs. The Legacy Award for outstanding contributions to community went to Gary Abdullah. The Ingrid P. Holtzman Award for enhancing SCB aesthetic appearance went to Carleen Maitland. The XYZ Award for significant SCB contributions went to Zoe Boniface.
Lions Paw held its annual Convocation and Medal Ceremony. Tina Hay was the honoree along with several outstanding soon-to-be seniors.
And the resistance continues: Virginia voters approved a redistricting referendum, which could flip the State Democratic Party’s congressional edge from 6-5 to 10-1. April 29 is worldwide Denim Day. We wear denim to acknowledge Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Tarana Burke, founder of #metoo, speaks at Freeman Auditorium from 6-7 p.m. on April 30. Candles for Peace and Thompson Tuesdays continue.
Stay strong.
Charles Dumas is a lifelong political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Party’s nominee for the U.S. Congress in 2012. He is a Lions Paw honoree. He lives in State College with his wife and partner of over 50 years.