South Ossetia: actors demand new Drama Theatre instead of burned down one

The actors of the burned down building of the State Drama Theatre of South Ossetia are unsatisfied with the progress of reconstruction work and demand to build a new modern building with preservation of the architectural appearance of the old theatre. In defence of their position, as the actors told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, they are ready to go out to a rally.

The theatre built back in 1931, which was considered one of the most beautiful architectural monuments of South Ossetia, burned down at night on April 7, 2005. The damage caused by the fire made at least 2.5 million US dollars. Preparation for building a new theatre was to start in 2010; however, the builders began reconstructing the burned theatre only in February this year.

"The walls of the theatre are not subject to restoration," Soslan Bibilov, the artistic director of the theatre, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Restoration of the old building is absurd and stupid, but someone gains profit. It will survive for six years more in the most – the builders told us about it themselves, when we went there," other actors have added.

Meanwhile, the builders of the "Vladstroy" Company continue restoring the building – they clean the burnt walls of old plaster and prepare them for repairs.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was assured at the office of the South-Ossetian government that the actors' appeals are not ignored; however, the project of the new building is almost half of the republic's annual budget.

"The indignation of the theatre staff is understandable, but we still need to erect a new university block, which also costs about a billion roubles. Where do we get that money?" the government asks.

Residents of Tskhinvali say that for the city, where the cultural life is poor, visiting the theatre is as a breath of fresh air.