Кралерия/Kinglery: A Photo-documentary Gallery of Bulgarian Drag Kings and Their Stories

PHOTOGRAPHY/DOCUMENTARY

12 min read

Updated: 3d

By Finn Evans

My first encounter with drag culture happened in 2019 while I was studying in Norwich. I came across an advert looking for a photographer for a drag event and signed up to help. Very quickly, I found a safe space where I could be completely myself, and up until the pandemic lockdown, I became their regular photographer.

A few years later, back in Bulgaria, I discovered Queer Vartelezhka – a collective of Bulgarian drag artists organising the afterparty for Sofia Pride. At that moment, it felt as though the sense of safety and belonging I had experienced in the UK had finally arrived in Bulgaria too, surrounded by people who reminded me of home, including some of my childhood friends. I believe it was the first time I truly felt safe to be fully myself in Bulgaria, and it made me realise that drag spaces are places where I will always feel welcomed and accepted, wherever I may be in the world. That feeling of belonging naturally led me to become more deeply involved with the local drag community, DragKingBG.

My motivation for starting to photograph drag king events in Sofia originally came from a desire to give performers something to remember the events by, as well as from my fascination with their performances and, admittedly, my own wish to further develop my photography skills. Without even realising it, I gradually became part of the community. One of the drag kings and event organisers, Histeria, appreciated my work and welcomed me into their world.

While making photos for DragKingBG and occasionally Queer Vartelezhka, I also completed different documentary courses, which sparked a genuine passion for the genre in me.

Some of these photos were part of Кралерия (Kinglery) – the first-ever exhibition dedicated to drag kings in Bulgaria, organised by myself and HisTeria – at LETE Art Hub as part of Sofia LGBTIQ+ Fest 2026 and also accepted as part of QueerVarna Festival in Varna, Bulgaria in June 2026. Visitors could view photos, read information about the performers and watch a short screening of video and audio snippets of interviews from 12 of the drag kings that are active here in Sofia, Bulgaria.

I hope the gallery will give visitors a better idea of what it means to be a drag king, or perhaps even inspire them to become part of the community themselves. More than anything, though, I hope this archive will serve to preserve a history that is unfolding right now.

As a teenager, while I was discovering who I was, I couldn’t see myself reflected in our queer history because I didn’t know it existed. I felt disconnected from it. My interests, and in many ways my identity, felt foreign to my own country and as a result, I often felt foreign within it too.

It was only when I moved to England that I truly understood the importance of representation, of sharing and uplifting stories by marginalised communities but also preserving them. I closely follow the work of Queer Sofia and Lespectra, whose work uncovers Bulgarian queer history. Their work helps me feel rooted and I hope Kinglery can become that kind of opportunity for future generations: a chance to open this time capsule years from now and recognise themselves in what is our present and their past. The long-term vision for Kinglery is for it to evolve into a documentary film project that explores more deeply the history and development of the drag king community in Bulgaria.

HisTeria

A performer in dramatic wolf-inspired drag, leaning toward the camera against a dark background. They wear a wolf-head headpiece with bared fangs and red gems, long white hair, a white face with pink markings and red contact lenses, and a pink-lipped open mouth. A black fur collar, white fleece cape and ornate dark red filigree chest piece with chains complete the look. — *'Being able to present my inner world to others, that is what drag is for me.' HisTeria*

He is explosive, emotional and deeply empathetic. He turns every place into his home. He sees the stories in people's eyes and brings them back to life through retelling them. This is the 'territory' of HisTeria.

He has been doing drag since 2019. When he first started, he felt out of place in his personal life – isolated from the world and people. Drag gave him the opportunity to present his inner world to others, to open up and to seek connection. His motto became: if I am not going to have a home, then every place will be my home, and I will build where I am.

HisTeria is a play on words between 'his' and 'territory'. At the same time, it is also a conscious embrace of the word 'hysteria.' The person behind this drag character has been called 'hysterical,' but he sees that as a positive trait. It allows him to connect with people more deeply and understand them better. It gives him permission to take up space without feeling guilty about it.

HisTeria is also the driving force behind the community of drag kings in Bulgaria. For him, it is the family he has managed to build. As a 'drag parent' to many artists, including most of those featured in this exhibition, he has learned something very important: the only thing better than being able to be yourself is creating space for others to do the same.

Follow HisTeria on Instagram: @his__tagram

V.amp

A performer in dramatic drag leaning against a wall, looking off to the side. They wear a shaggy purple wig, white face paint with dark shadowing and cracked-looking markings around the eyes, yellow contact lenses and blue lips. They are dressed in a sheer yellow jacket with glittery suspenders, a plum velvet top with a keyhole cutout, and a silver chain necklace. Their nails are painted black. — *'Gentle when there is a need for gentleness. Terrifying when there is a need for that.' -* *V.am*p

The sexy creature from your nightmares, born somewhere between the stage fog, vampire aesthetics and the desire to express inner rage and courage, V.amp is a drag persona that emerged from the darkest corners of the imagination, transforming fear, desire and fantasy into a theatrical experience.

The name comes from the cosplay nickname Vida Amp and carries a double meaning: vamp as in vampire and to vamp – the art of seducing, improvising and captivating the audience. Inspired by the worlds of film, music and visual storytelling, V.amp combines tenderness with fear.

Outside of drag, Vida Amp is a cosplayer and it was through cosplay that their love for transformation and performance first began. But drag provides the freedom for fantasy, to move beyond the boundaries of the familiar. It is where a character is born, who embodies everything that often remains hidden in everyday life: strength, audacity, darkness and unwavering confidence.

Since first appearing on stage in 2024, V.amp has become part of Bulgaria’s growing drag king community, which they see as a space for creativity, friendship and mutual inspiration. Amid white face paint, wigs and clouds of glitter, V.amp continues to remind us that life is too short not to try new things.

Follow V.amp on Instagram: @vida_amp_cosplay

Dante Allegro

A performer in theatrical clown-style drag, facing the camera with wide eyes and their tongue poking out. They have white face paint with exaggerated wrinkle lines, dark painted brows and a thin moustache, with auburn hair slicked back. A large jester-style collar of pink brocade points rises on both sides of their head, and black-gloved hands hold it up. They wear a white embroidered blouse with a lace collar, lit in pink against a black background. — *'If someone finds you hard to swallow — let them choke.' Dante Allegro*

Dante began doing drag around two years ago after coming across an open call for a Drag King workshop. At first, he entered the stage impulsively and without preparation, but later the workshops within the drag community and the support of his drag father, HisTeria, helped him develop a clearer artistic approach and greater confidence.

Outside of drag, Dante works as a sculptor and is involved in digitalization. His interest in masks, and prop design are intertwined with his stage performances. In his work, he is drawn to darker aesthetics, horror imagery, and emotions that are usually hidden or unaccepted in everyday life. For him, his drag persona Dante offers a space where these feelings can exist openly.

Initially for him, drag began as a form of exposure therapy – a way to overcome his fear of the stage, public speaking, and being perceived in public. Gradually, however, it became a place of pleasure and creative autonomy, separate from the commissioned work he does, outside the stage.

Dante sees the drag king scene in Bulgaria as a space of acceptance, where people can exist without needing to make themselves smaller in order to be 'easier to swallow.' For him, drag is not only an art form, but also a way for queer people to be visible, tell their own stories and build community.

Follow Dante on Instagram: @dante.alegro

Amfibian

A performer in gothic-style drag, tilting their head and looking down at the camera, with one hand raised to their forehead and the other held up with fingers spread. They have spiky platinum-blonde hair, white face paint with dramatic winged black eyeliner and a nose and lip piercing. They wear a black ruffled blouse and dark clothing, with silver rings and black nail polish, against a pale pink background. — *'You are not alone. Be safe. Love yourselves.' Amfibian*

This is (Flesh) Amfibian, the drag king persona of Kai Flesh. He began his drag journey in 2025 and is still developing his character: a pink extraterrestrial being capable of changing its shape. It has lived among humans for years, but they have never been able to see its true form. Flesh Amfibian is a character marked by loneliness and constant transformation, hiding their true nature behind human disguises. Their fully realized pink alien form has yet to make its appearance on stage.

So far, he has incorporated singing and spoken-word poetry into his drag performances, searching for a personal artistic language somewhere between music, the body and character work. HisTeria is his drag parent.

Kai is from the city of Plovdiv, where queer spaces remain limited, apart from organisations such as 'Pogled'. His style is extravagant even outside of drag: gothic makeup, dramatic looks and an energy that carries the same sense of freedom and strangeness, through which his character is learning to exist more authentically. Whatever form his work takes, Kai's goal is for someone hiding their true self to see it and understand that it is okay to be different.

Follow Amfibian on Instagram: @kaiflesh

Nox

A performer in elaborate gothic drag, facing the camera against a black background. They wear a white and silver Venetian-style mask with black feathers, a pale curled updo, bold red lips and drop earrings. They are dressed in a black ruffled blouse with a brooch and chain detail, a patterned waistcoat with black, white and yellow swirls and gold frog fastenings, and black lace gloves with raised, clawed fingers. — *'Drag helps me balance my need to be seen as both a man and a woman.' Nox*

At the core of his drag persona lies the aesthetic of eldritch horror and the world of H.P. Lovecraft. It is this dark supernatural atmosphere that shapes both the name and character of Nox. His drag parent is V.amp, who encouraged him for a long time to start doing drag and supported him during the early stages of his journey as a performer.

While in cosplay Nox often worries about whether he resembles a particular character closely enough, in drag his doubts come from a different question: whether he is 'queer enough.' For a long time, he carried the feeling that queer identity had to fit within strict boundaries.

However, moving to England as a student changed the way he viewed both himself and the queer community. Meeting people who expressed themselves freely and confidently helped him embrace drag as a space for freedom, experimentation, and self-expression – a place where you can let go of your inhibitions and do whatever feels right to you.

On stage, Nox exists as a more confident and expressive version of himself. Through the character, he explores emotions, identity, and presence. For him, the drag king scene is a space where difference can exist freely and where there is no need to explain how or why you are different from others.

Follow Nox on Instagram: @mint.nox

PapaGalo

A performer with wide eyes and an open mouth, shot from above and seen through a sheer pink and blue fabric that is stretched across the frame, with one hand reaching toward the camera. Their face is painted white with dark shadowing around the eyes. They are lying on a bare concrete floor scattered with rubbish, including bottles, packaging and cardboard. — *'The stage is where a person has to gather their courage.' PapaGalo*

PapaGalo began doing drag in 2024, after a long period of hesitation and a desire to find the courage to step onto the stage. His first steps were supported by the Drag King BG workshop in 2024. Through that experience, PapaGalo became convinced that the most important thing is simply to 'go out there', regardless of fear, self-doubt or the feeling that you're not ready yet.

The character of PapaGalo is both confident and vulnerable – a figure who believes in goodness while remaining deeply connected to reality and everyday life. On stage, drag gives him the space to gather his courage and express himself. Sure, he always forgets 'one or two things' he had prepared, but he still stands before the audience.

The name PapaGalo combines personal and collective history. 'Galo' comes from his own name and his desire to maintain a connection to himself, while 'Papa' is inspired by his interest in African cultures and the figure of the storyteller – a keeper of knowledge.

The drag king community in Bulgaria is especially important to PapaGalo. He sees it as a space for experimentation, mutual support and the freedom to try new things without fear of failure. In developing his character, he received significant support from HisTeria, his drag parent. All of this helps him continue creating stronger and more meaningful art.

In his work, PapaGalo often draws inspiration from dreams and music. He is also strongly interested in the social dimensions of drag. Because of this, he sees drag as a form of collective memory and archiving – a way to preserve queer identities and ways of being that are often left out of official history.

Follow PapaGalo on Instagram: @gaaloush

Sir Chasm / Jacqueline Hyde

A performer crouching on all fours on a dark stage, leaning toward the camera with a fierce expression. They have messy dark hair, smudged red and black eye makeup, drawn-on whisker lines, black lipstick and a septum piercing. They wear a black short-sleeved shirt and fishnet tights, with black nail polish, in front of a blue-grey projection screen. — *'Choose love. It is so easy to hate in this world.' Jacqueline Hyde*

Sir Chasm and Jacqueline Hyde are two distinct drag personas created by the same artist, each exploring different facets of the self. Jacqueline Hyde is a confident, dynamic and theatrical drag queen inspired by rock aesthetics and commanding stage presence. Sir Chasm, meanwhile, is a rougher, more introspective drag king who is still 'searching for himself.'

The name Jacqueline Hyde is a word play, based on the novel Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Sir Chasm, on the other hand, emerged almost by accident – from an old nickname discovered in a chat with friends. Both personas, however, were born from the same desire – to find and express a sense of confidence through drag and performance, a confidence that gradually carries over into the artist's personal life as well.

For him, drag is a continuation of a lifelong interest in theatre and performance. Despite being more reserved offstage, he describes how – with the very first brush of makeup or the moment a wig is put on – he begins to transform into a more confident, powerful and uncompromising version of himself.

Follow Jacqueline Hyde on Instagram: @jacqueline._.hyde

Vigour Mortis

A performer in a medieval-style costume, standing on a dark stage with one hand pressed to their chest and the other held out, singing or speaking with their eyes lowered. They wear a lace veil under a gold crown, with painted tear streaks on their cheeks. Their white satin gown has wide sleeves trimmed with gold stars, and over it is a silver breastplate decorated with vines and a sunburst pierced by swords. A sword hangs at their waist. — *'Queer history is incredibly important. It must be preserved, archived, and defended with every means available to us.' Vigour Mortis*

Vigour Mortis is the drag king persona of Elis, an artist who transforms anxiety, fear and vulnerability into a stage language of their own. The name comes from the Latin rigor mortis – the stiffening of a corpse that signals death. But by replacing ‘rigor’ with ‘vigour’, a word associated with strength and vitality, the name becomes a mysterious oxymoron.

At the heart of Vigour Mortis’s work lies fear – not simply as a theme, but as a constant presence. Yet through drag, feelings of anxiety and vulnerability are transformed into strength and creative drive. Vigour Mortis’s performances are often highly narrative, melancholic and cinematic. They are usually built around a particular song, which gradually gives rise to the character, movements, makeup and the specific story being told.

For Vigour, the stage is a state of near-total immersion – a moment in which they can exist solely within the emotion of the performance. That is why drag feels close to a ritual, a space where accumulated emotions can be released and shared with the audience.

Vigour Mortis sees the drag king community as a place for experimentation, collaboration and the dismantling of stereotypes about what drag is 'supposed' to look like. In their view, drag kings demonstrate that this art form can be much more than the popular culture of glamorous drag queens. It can be horror, theatre, absurdity, storytelling, personal confession or all of those things at once.

Follow Vigour on Instagram: @vigour.mortis

Michael Skurn

A performer on a dark stage, shouting at the camera with their mouth wide open. They wear a black top hat and a black suit jacket over a white patterned shirt, with white face paint, heavy black shadows around the eyes and purple shading on the nose and cheeks. They hold a burlap sack with a curly brown yarn-haired prop spilling out of it, in front of a blurred orange and pink backdrop. — *'Drag is a means of inner liberation of the spirit.' Michael Skurn*

This drag king is a self-proclaimed 'jack-of-all-trades, master of none', much like Michael Scarn from The Office, whose name inspired his own. For Michael, drag is a way to free himself from the fear of being cringe. He describes his character as a parody of himself – an alternate version that never worries about embarrassing itself. Through this persona, Michael Skurn has gradually become more comfortable and liberated offstage as well.

At first, his only exposure to drag came from RuPaul's Drag Race. His first encounter with drag kings was at a Queer Vartelezhka party in 2019 at Fabrika Avtonomiya. There, he saw Histeria – his future drag parent – perform on stage and realized that drag kings exist too.

Since then, Michael has been actively creating performances that combine theater, humor, and multimedia. Many of his acts begin as scenes in his head while he's listening to music. Gradually, he adds props, video projections, gestures, and comedic elements. He especially enjoys using cinematic language and multimedia on stage because it allows him to expand the world of a performance beyond the limits of physical stage presence.

Michael describes the drag king community as a space for sharing knowledge, support and friendship. In his view, its strength comes from diversity – people from theatre, film, cosplay, visual arts and many other backgrounds come together through drag and help one another. For Michael, it is not a hierarchical structure with a leader, but a living network of people exchanging experience, resources and ideas.

Follow Michael on Instagram: @michael.skurn

Tsar Sterling

A shirtless performer standing against a concrete pillar, looking down with a serious expression. They have dark hair pulled back, a drawn-on moustache and a nose piercing, and their chest is bound with tape. Tattoos cover one arm, including a small dog and a cat. They wear a beaded bracelet and black trousers, and hold a small object at their waist, lit in red and teal. — *'There is no single right way for a drag artist to look.' Tsar Sterling*

While the person behind the character is more introverted and reserved in everyday life, Tsar Sterling is his opposite: outgoing, provocative and constantly seeking the audience's attention. Through this persona, he wants to show that there is no shame in being yourself and feeling comfortable in your own skin.

Tsar Sterling's drag journey began in 2021 after attending a party organized by Queer Valletzhka, where he saw drag kings perform live for the first time. Encountering the local scene showed him that drag could be far more diverse than mainstream representations suggest.

Movement and physical presence are central to the way Tsar Sterling exists on stage. His background in classical ballet strongly influences both his choreography and his interaction with the audience. His performances often include a mix of different musical genres, direct engagement with spectators, flashes of thigh... and everything else that comes with it.

For him, the drag king community represents both a safe space and a place of mutual support, where he feels comfortable and understood. Unfortunately, according to Sterling, drag kings often remain invisible, and many people are not even aware that such artists exist. That is why it is important to him for queer artists to become more visible beyond their own scene – to demonstrate that Bulgaria’s LGBTQI+ community is active, diverse and present within the country’s cultural life.

Follow Tsar on Instagram: @tsarsterling

'KINGLERY' – the first-ever exhibition dedicated to drag kings in Bulgaria – was on view from June 5-9 at LETE Art Hub as part of Sofia LGBTIQ+ Fest 2026, organised by Bilitis.

Finn Evans is a trans, queer artist. His passion lies in writing and directing short films that raise awareness of issues affecting often misrepresented communities. His most recent work, a debut theatre play titled Real Boy, focuses on trans issues and the consequences of people-pleasing. He recently began exploring more of photography, specifically focusing on representing new drag artists in Sofia, Bulgaria. Follow Finn on Instagram: @chudatsi and @awakenkids