Kharkiv Academic Puppet Theater named after V. A. Afanasyev is collecting funds for restoration after the Russian attack as part of the Save Ukrainian Culture project. 

This was reported by the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine. 

On March 1, 2022, the shelling of the Kharkiv city center by Russian troops partially ruined the theater building, the windows and facade were damaged.

“The Kharkiv State Academic Puppet Theater is one of the architectural pearls of the city. 260 plays have been staged here, more than 20 of which were addressed to the adult audience. Therefore, this institution has the largest repertoire for adult audiences among puppet theaters in Ukraine.”

Inside the theater, there is a permanent exhibition of the only theater puppet museum in Ukraine. The collection started in 1954 features unique pieces from many countries of the world.

Anyone can join the initiative and help to restore the theater by donating.

In November, Kharkiv Academic Puppet Theater named after V. A. Afanasyev became one of the laureates of the Michael Nyqvist Foundation Award in Stockholm.

More details

Save Ukrainian Culture is a joint project of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine and Vodafone Ukraine aimed at raising charitable funds for the restoration and preservation of cultural heritage in Ukraine, which has suffered as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine since February 24, 2022.

The Kalush Orchestra donated more than UAH300,000 (~$8 000) for the restoration of the Hryhoriy Skovoroda museum as part of the project.

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