Kathrine Frich
A symbolic landmark in Mariupol has reopened its doors.
The move has triggered a wave of anger and grief, particularly among Ukrainians who see the event as deeply offensive.
The reopening has revived painful memories of what happened inside the building in 2022.
A staged reopening
The Drama Theatre in Mariupol, destroyed in March 2022 during Russia’s siege of the city, has been restored and reopened under occupation authorities.
According to the Associated Press, the first performance took place after reconstruction overseen by the Russian-installed administration that took control of the city in May 2022.
Ukrainian social media channels reported that the reopening was accompanied by celebratory events, including dancing inside the building.
The performances staged at the venue are reportedly based largely on works by Russian authors.
Sharp condemnation
Ukrainian city authorities strongly criticised the reopening, describing it as an attempt to erase evidence of a war crime. In a statement published on Telegram, officials said:
“The reconstruction of the theater is a cynical attempt to erase the traces of a war crime and is part of the aggressive policy of Russification of the city. The theater’s repertoire consists largely of plays by Russian writers.”
Footage from the reopening circulated online, drawing widespread condemnation.
Ukrainian officials described the scenes as “dancing on the bones,” a reference to those who died when the building was bombed.
The criticism reflects broader anger over how occupied Mariupol is being reshaped.
The 2022 attack
Mariupol, a port city on the Sea of Azov, was encircled by Russian forces in the spring of 2022. The siege led to the near-total destruction of the city’s infrastructure.
In March 2022, a Russian airstrike hit the Drama Theatre, which was sheltering civilians, including many women and children.
Large markings reading “Children” were visible outside the building, intended to signal its civilian use.
Despite this, a 500-kilogram aerial bomb struck the site, causing massive destruction.
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Sources: Associated Press, Ukrainian city authorities, Telegram, WP
