At a Glance
- Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theater in Mariupol reopens after a Russian airstrike that killed ~600.
- The reopening features a gala concert with dancers in traditional kokoshniks.
- Ukrainian city council calls the event “singing and dancing on bones,” accusing it of Russification.
- Why it matters: The theater’s rebirth highlights ongoing war-crime allegations and the struggle over cultural identity in occupied Mariupol.
Three years after a Russian airstrike destroyed it, the historic Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theater in Mariupol opened its doors again. The ceremony, attended by Russian officials and St. Petersburg workers, was met with criticism from the city’s Ukrainian council, which decried the reopening as a cover-up of war crimes.
Rebuilding After Destruction
The theater, demolished on March 16, 2022, was rebuilt by Russian-installed authorities. A gala concert on Sunday night showcased dancers wearing kokoshniks, while images revealed the marbled pillars and staircases that survived the strike.
- March 16, 2022: Russian airstrike kills ~600 people inside and outside the theater.
- Hundreds of civilians sought refuge in the building; the word “children” was painted on the street outside.
- Russian forces bulldozed the ruins and removed remains to mass graves.
A News Of Austin investigation found about 600 people killed, nearly double early estimates.
Controversy and Reactions
Mariupol’s Ukrainian city council, which left the city when it was occupied, condemned the reopening as a cynical attempt to conceal war-crime evidence and part of a Russification policy. The council noted the repertoire now focuses largely on Russian writers and playwrights.
| Actor | Role | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Denis Pushilin | Russian-installed head of Donetsk region | Donetsk |
| Alexander Beglov | Governor of St. Petersburg | St. Petersburg |
| Workers from St. Petersburg | Reconstruction crew | St. Petersburg |
The Donetsk region, annexed by Russia in 2022, remains a key battleground. Its status is a major sticking point in negotiations to end the war.
Key Takeaways
- The theater’s reopening follows a strike that killed about 600 civilians.
- Ukrainian officials accuse the event of covering up war crimes and advancing Russification.
- Russian and St. Petersburg officials participated in the opening ceremony.
The reopening of the theater underscores the ongoing conflict over Mariupol’s cultural heritage and the broader struggle for control in the Donetsk region.
