Theaters commemorate anniversary of Mariupol bombing

On Monday, March 16, 2026, Czech theaters and cultural institutions commemorate the fourth anniversary of the bombing of the Mariupol Theater, which was hit by the Russian Air Force on March 16, 2022. Despite the inscription "ДЕТИ" (children) written in large letters in front of and behind the building, the building became a target of the attack. The tragedy, in which civilians seeking shelter in the theater died, has become a symbol of the brutality of war against the innocent.

Dozens of theaters across the country are joining the initiative. A common gesture will be the commemoration of the inscription "ДЕТИ", which will appear in front of theater buildings, on their facades, digital screens or in the online space. Many institutions will also hang the Ukrainian flag or light candles as a silent remembrance of the victims of the war.

The symbolic highlight will be an evening gesture on the roof terrace of the historic building of the National Theatre in Prague, where under the trigami the inscription "ДЕТИ" will be created from candles as an expression of solidarity with the victims of war and a reminder of the responsibility of cultural institutions to defend humanity even in times of conflict.

In addition to the National Theatre, the initiative is being joined by, among others, the Na zábradlí Theatre, Švanda Theatre, Dejvíce Theatre, Pod Palmovkou Theatre, South Bohemian Theatre in České Budějovice, Brno City Theatre, Brno National Theatre, East Bohemian Theatre in Pardubice, Husa na provázku, FX Šalda Theatre in Liberec, Moravian Theatre Olomouc, Josef Kajetán Theatre in Pilsen, Horácké Theatre Jihlava, National Moravian-Silesian Theatre and others.

The Association of Professional Theaters expresses solidarity with Ukraine and recalls that an attack on a theater is an attack on civil space, culture, and the very essence of society.