The Central Theater in Mariupol, destroyed in 2022, was reopened over the weekend after a three-year reconstruction.

The Central Theater in Mariupol, devastated by Russian bombings in 2022, was reopened over the weekend, according to an announcement made by the pro-Russian authorities in the Donetsk region. The pro-Russian leader of the region, Denis Pushilin, stated that the theater has opened its doors to spectators, marking an important milestone in the reconstruction of the city, which was captured by Russia after a devastating siege that resulted in 22,000 civilian deaths. The reconstruction of the theater took three years and was carried out with the help of workers and architects from St. Petersburg, who contributed to restoring the historical image of the building. The theater now features modern equipment and has been decorated with a 2.5-ton crystal chandelier. The reopening ceremony included performances by artists from Mariupol and St. Petersburg. Although Russia has officially annexed the Donetsk region, control over the territory is not complete.