The book describes one of the most important stages in the development of dramatic theater in Bulgaria—its institutionalization and professionalization. Through the study of rich source material, it presents the idea of building theater as a symbol—a presentation of national identity in the modern state. It problematizes the relationship between statehood and theater as an expression of the far-sighted cultural policy in the structure of Bulgarian society, which is modeled on the European civilization model. Through the analysis of artistic facts emblematic of the time in the field of emerging national dramaturgy and its stage realization, as well as individual performances of acting, the evolution of views on theater is traced. It builds up ideas about the comparability of the performing arts in Bulgaria with the traditional models of theatrical typology imposed in the Balkan region and in Europe. The study attaches particular importance to the personalities who were the pioneers of the Bulgarian national stage, whose creative work is used to analyze the contradictory and complex process of the theater's self-identification as a form of artistic activity. The publication is accompanied by extensive reference material - for the first time, the lists and repertoires of the theatre formations existing during the period have been established and systematised - from the National Theatre to the smaller private, cooperative, stationary and travelling troupes.