The Bulgarian actor and director Yosif Sarchadzhiev has died, with the news confirmed on July 2 by his daughter, Ana Sarchadzhieva. According to the family announcement, the funeral took place the following day in a private setting, attended only by close relatives and friends, in line with his explicit wishes.
The family emphasized that he wanted to be remembered for his work rather than his death. “He wished to be remembered not for his passing, but for his contribution to Bulgaria’s cultural life,” a statement from relatives noted, reflecting the tone of the farewell.
Born on 2 May 1945 in Sofia, Sarchadzhiev came from a family deeply rooted in Bulgarian theatre and public life. His father was Prof. Stefan Sarchadzhiev, a long-time director at the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, while his mother, Anna Fadenhecht, was the daughter of lawyer and politician Yosif Fadenhecht.
His earliest steps into performance came through a home-made theatre project called “101 Holes,” which he created together with his brothers Bogdan and Nikolay. The name referred to the improvised stage curtain they used, which had been damaged in 101 places but still served as their symbolic backdrop for performances.
