Theatre in Yambol dates from 1870, when the town put on Multi-Suffering Genoveva, the fifth such staging in Bulgaria that year; a joint-stock company followed in February 1920 and the town became the seat of the South Bulgarian Theatre in 1922. It turned professional in 1949 and state-run on 1 January 1952. Nevena Kokanova, whose name the house carries, made her first stage appearances here from 1956. Touring operetta and opera also play the room.