The State Theatre was established in 1951 and to this day is the main cultural institute in Smolyan Municipality.
Its permanent task is to preserve and develop Bulgarian culture and literature in the Rhodope Mountains. The patron of the theatre is Nikolai Haytov – one of the greatest Bulgarian writers and undoubtedly the most involved author with the Rhodope Mountains. Leon Daniel, Vili Tsankov, Krikor Azaryan, Luben Groys, Yulia Ognyanova and many others have left their mark on the theatre and the city. The legacy of these people is a starting point for the young company that has been formed in the theatre in the last few years.The RDT is a place that welcomes opportunities for international partnerships, for co-productions and for theatre workshops, the atmosphere of which is favoured by the beautiful nature of the area.