Inflation drives up entertainment ticket prices

Prices of tickets for events in the "Culture and Entertainment" sector in Bulgaria have risen the most in recent months, according to data from the National Statistics. At the same time, ticket prices are expected to rise at the start of the upcoming season.

The biggest increase - of 8.5% - is reported by the National Statistical Institute for culture and entertainment. However, when we look more closely at exactly how this is calculated, we see that in addition to performances, this group includes the filming equipment we use in our free time, the money we spend on hobbies such as gardening and even our pets. Airline tickets are also in that group. This to some extent explains the data, although almost all ticket prices are the same.

Hristina Staneva, deputy director of the National Opera and Ballet said that ticket prices are kept in the lowest and highest price range as internally - with the average ticket price we take into account what the production is - whether it is a premiere, whether we have guest performers and this way we manage to cover the costs.

The better the product, the longer it lasts. If it lasts a long time on the stage, then it somehow pays for itself and there are funds left for the creation of the next product.

However, because of inflation, we have to prepare for an increase in prices next season. Artists don't like to talk about money when it comes to art, but it is a very important part of the issue of access to culture.

For the poorest or 20% of the population, going to the theatre or a concert remains unaffordable.

"Here we have to pay attention that especially public institutions or public finances have to respect the provisions that come from the Bulgarian Constitution to culture and arts, that is, the social effect has to be visible also for those households with the lowest incomes," said Dr. Diana Andreeva - Popjordanova from the Observatory of Cultural Economics.

There is also good news in the data – people read more books.

"The share of book purchases in 2021 is at a record high - BGN 100 per household compared to BGN 67 in 2020," said Dr Diana Andreeva-Popyordanova.

Experts explain this with the introduction of lower VAT for books.