A Father. A funny guy. A smile the size of the CIS.  His image is all over Bulgaria - from Sofia's ATM machines to Nova Television. Given to wearing bright colours, his presence energises the room in the same way that the first tulips of spring lighten the heart after a long winter. True, he is remarkably funny, but the endearing qualities of this man run deeper. There are undercurrents of friendly openness that contribute to his character. From high-fives in the corridor of his daughter's school to supper around the table with new friends, a warmth flows from the spirit of one of Bulgaria's best-known and best-loved comedians, Vassil Vassilev. 

While the average expatriate living in Bulgaria may not recognise his given name, mention his professional name, Zuek, and the nods of recognition will appear. Continue with a clarifying phrase, such as, "the comedian with the dark, spiky hair" or "the funny guy on the show, Gospodari na Efira," roughly translated, Lords of the Air, and many foreigners will respond with a smile. Question a Bulgarian on the street, and the vast majority will display a national affection for their favourite hometown boy.  What may be surprising for some is that the kid from Sliven has been all over the world and has received international acclaim for his interpretation of The Overcoat, by Russian author Nikolai Gogol.

In many ways, Vassilev represents a new Bulgarian generation. The rising star of his professional career corresponded with the dawn of a new era in Bulgaria. His big break came in 1990, just one month after the fall of the Berlin wall. He was in his second year at the Academy and was asked to fill in for the main character, Mr Ku Ku, on a popular student show.  His first act was a commercial parody for safe sex.  Indeed, a new era had been born in Bulgaria and with it, a new Bulgarian star. Though his stint with the Mr Ku Ku character gave him some notoriety within Bulgaria, he was still a starving artist.

"Kanaleto" followed as his next job, a television show dealing in politics, satire and parody.  This programme served as the instrument that would propel Vassilev into the world of new fame when he began touring with "Ku Ku Band", a group of five actors, including Slavi Trifonov, who today is the host of one of Bulgaria's most popular TV chat shows, The Slavi Show. 

The rising star's sparkle took on a slightly mischievous glint when in December 1991 he and colleagues pulled a small group of Bulgarian journalists into a plan that would eventually ignite international attention.  Their idea was to create a parody entitled "Bomba".  Their creative genius gave rise to three possible scenarios, including a storyline inspired by George Orwell's War of the Worlds. For this scenario, the team envisaged broadcasting that aliens had landed.  The second variation would have reported that Tsar Simeon had returned to Bulgaria and was inviting the country to meet him at Sofia's Orolov Most (Eagle's Bridge).  The final scenario, and the one that the group eventually pursued, was to report a nuclear meltdown at Bulgaria's Kozlodui nuclear power plant. The reaction was more than the sum of its parts, and much more than the group had bargained for when it mobilised national panic. Although the entire story was actually a spoof, coverage was picked up by CNN and Reuters. Eventually, both the producer and the director were taken to court, but no criminal charges were ever pressed.  If nothing else, the mayhem that resulted proved that Bulgaria was far from ready if such a catastrophe should occur in real life. 

In subsequent years, Vassilev would co-found Sofia's Credo Theatre with Nina Dimitrova.  From that centre stage, they crafted a version of the tragic comedy, The Overcoat (Shinel), written by Russia's Gogol.  Vassilev received international recognition for this interpretation, which has been played on stages in over 150 festivals to-date, and in at least eight different languages. From the stage of Her Majesty's Royal Theatre, this Bulgarian interpretation of a Russian classic has found resonance. Critics favoured the play at Edinburgh's 1996 and 1997 art festivals, and it was a success in London's West End at the Barbican centre. Notably, it has received `best performance' awards at least seven times from international critics. Today, preparations are underway to translate the play into Japanese so that audiences there can enjoy its thought-provoking message in 2007. 

Vassilev has not stopped at the stage, he has also appeared in over 15 Bulgarian movies, most recently, Patriarhat (2005) by Docho Bodjakov, The Journey to Jerusalem, Ivan Nitchev (2003) and The Profit, by Magi Halvadjian (2001).  Additionally, there is of course, the television programme, Gospodari na Efira, as well as the commercials for Bulgarian companies such as First Investment Bank.

When asked which vehicle of performance he prefers, his answer reflected fondness for all three modes of art. While he expressed an appreciation for the movies, it seems clear that his first love is the stage. He spoke of feeling connected to the audience, of absorbing and responding to the emotion present there in the theatre.  Vassilev, in his own words, explained, "An actor's world is a world full of love for people. When I give them love, they give much more."

With regard to words of wisdom for a new generation of Bulgarians, his ever-present smile gave way to a fatherly wrinkle of the forehead.  He spoke of the importance of education and more importantly, the essential aspect of being a conscientious parent.  His comments were enlightening, for his observations drew, not from today's youth, but rather the parents of today's youth.  He spoke of his concern for the Bulgarian education system and he spoke insightfully with regard to the value systems present in many Bulgarian homes today. Material possessions play too big a role within society, according to Vassilev. Parents today want more money and they teach their children that this is the most important thing in life. When asked what then was most important to him, the smile returned and the answer flowed from his heart: "Love, freedom, and faith".

Although he has achieved much in his career, although the BBC has called his performance "magic on stage", though he has tasted fame and viewed the world from a perspective that would strike fear into the hearts of most of us, the man that sits before me for an interview is relaxed, open, and absolutely without pretense.  He speaks of the actor's world with passion in his voice and he shares views regarding today's Bulgarian youth in parallel tones.  Behind the warm smile of one of this nation's funniest and brightest, beats the heart of an artist whose journey has led him into the living rooms of millions, even through the difficult days of this country's transition from communism.  From the streets of Sofia to the stage of Her Majesty's Royal Theatre, though the venue may change, the character of Zuek is a constant and the smile is genuine.