Zhelcho Mandadzhiev(1915-2000)

Zhelcho Mandadziev Minchev is Bulgarian actor, director, lecturer at the National Academy for Theatre and Film Art, Sofia, Bulgaria and theater activist. He was born on March 15, 1915 in Burgas. From 1936 he played in theaters in Pleven, Burgas, Ruse, Plovdiv, Vratza and Varna. In 1952 he graduated directing at State Institute foe Theatre Art in Moscow in class of professor Gorchakov. After returning to Bulgaria he is a chief director at the National Youth Theater. He was director of Theatre "Labor Front", Satira Theater, Varna Theater. From 1953 he taught at the National Academy for Theatre and Film Art, Sofia, Bulgaria. In 1970 he was elected Professor. In the period 1961 - 1964 is the rector of the Academy. He died on March 3, 2000 in Varna. Among his students were Eva Volitzer , Nona Marcheva , Nikolay Uzunov , Svetozar Nedelchev , Mariana Alamancheva , Natalia Bardskaya , Yordanka Kuzmanova , Iliya Raev , Zhorzheta Chakurova , Climent Denchev , Angel Georgiev , Mihail Mutafov , Violeta Gindeva , Mariana Dimitrova , Yavor Miloushev . He was married to Penka Mandadzieva with whom he has a daughter Nevena Mandadzieva . There is one grandson and one granddaughter. He was awarded with " Asker " for Lifetime Achievement, 1994. His roles are Othello - "Othello" by William Shakespeare, Dr. Gavrilov - "Happiness" by Orlin Vassilev, Nayden - "Masters" of Racho Stoyanov . He participated also in the plays "Storm" by Alexander Ostrovsky, "Under the Yoke" by Ivan Vazov, "Masters" by Racho Stoyanov, "Last" by Maxim Gorky.