A century ago, in 1925, Irish writer George Bernard Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Today, one of his works, “Arms and the Man,” is sparking outrage among far-right groups in Bulgaria, who are causing serious disturbances outside a Sofia theatre where the play is being staged under the direction and production of award-winning John Malkovich.
The play, written in 1894 and set during the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian War, addresses both war and marriage. It approaches war as a means of creating heroes and marriage as a means of producing new generations.
While until now these artistic explorations hadn’t caused offense, today protesters and political parties are demanding the performances be stopped and Malkovich be expelled from the country, claiming he mocks their history. They’re not just making demands – they’re threatening and engaging in violence outside the theatre, where people are now afraid to attend performances.
The theatre director has even stated he feared for his life. “It’s quite a strange reaction, but these are strange times; more and more people love to censor things they disagree with,” Malkovich remarked, explaining that it’s an anti-war comedy that has been performed many times before.
Meanwhile, in America, Trump has chosen Congressman Matt Gaetz, who stands accused of trafficking underage girls, as Attorney General, while in Italy, Meloni has turned her fire on the country’s judiciary, reacting to judges’ decisions about sending migrants to closed detention centres in Albania.
She’s found an ally in Elon Musk, while judges report receiving threats. “The message is clear: anyone who dares to check or even limit government action – whether because their institutional role requires it or because, as a private citizen, they believe that criticising authority is ‘the salt of Democracy’ – should know that if they persist, they’ll face difficult times. Especially if they’re right”, says a judiciary representative. “These attacks reveal a strategy. The methods and targets are the same; the only differences depend on the roles of the people who must be attacked, devalued, frightened, and silenced at any given time”.
And in Iran, women who don’t wear the hijab according to regulations will be sent to “treatment clinics.” As an Iranian regime spokesperson stated, the clinic will provide “scientific and psychological treatment”. Through electroshock, lobotomy… who knows what “scientific” method they’ll choose to convince women not to resist?