Luhansk under fire: what awaits the sphere of culture

In the capital of the LPR, it is high time to pause the work of theaters and museums

In Lugansk, a city whose name has had to add the adjective “long-suffering” for nine years, there is a paradoxical situation in the sphere of culture. Against the backdrop of brutal attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (at least three in the capital itself and one in the suburbs, and with the use of Storm Shadow cruise missiles), against the backdrop of the death and injury of civilians and the assassination attempt on the Minister of Internal Affairs of the LPR Kornet, theaters and museums function there, and face-to-face rather than online presentations.

For some time, the capital of the LPR was indeed a relatively “rear” city. But everything has changed dramatically. In Donetsk, trembling hourly from explosions, cultural events have been banned since February 2022 – Donetsk residents have already forgotten what the hall looks like when spectators enter.

But, for example, the Luhansk Philharmonic in the evening of May 16 was briskly selling tickets. There the correspondent of “MK” got through on the landline phone, with the Russian code, there can be no mistake. On May 20, a concert is expected in the Great Hall, entrance – from 250 rubles.

The next call is to the Drama Theater. Pavel Luspekaev. On May 17 and 19, the opera “The Dawns Here Are Quiet” is performed there, brought by the team from Khakassia. Lugansk Theater on the Defense – works. Tickets from 100 rubles to the balcony, May 18 at noon – a children’s performance is scheduled. May 20 – for an adult audience.

“If they don’t cancel,” the cashier says to the side.

What can be cancelled?

Some of the performances have been cancelled. Schools, on the other hand, went to “remote work” (since May 16, by decision of the Ministry of Education of the LPR, – I.V.).

We make a control ringing – if a “barn bell” was not urgently hung on the door of the Luhansk Puppet Theater, then this should not be written in Moscow newspapers, but all the bells should be ringed.

“May 20-21 will be performances. Tickets from two hundred rubles.

What age are they for?

– Six plus.

We checked the information on the site – we are talking about the premiere of “The Tale of the Tsar Maiden” for kids.

And then we give the collected information purely for the sake of completeness. Lugansk Circus: “While we are working, we are selling tickets. We are the checkout. Not the government of the LPR,” people say, and without condemning the authorities – they love their land and are ready to do as the leaders decide.

The City Museum of the “Cossack of Lugansk” Vladimir Ivanovich Dahl will definitely be open on May 17 and 18, and tickets are free. Lugansk Art Museum is open. Tickets for 60 rubles for adults, 30 for students and schoolchildren. That is, we are not talking about the “survival of the sphere” here – the fees are often penny.

But it’s one thing when a person goes for bread or water – and gets under fire when he goes for a package of baby food or for pills – and stumbles upon an insidious “petal”. Why are people’s lives endangered here?

But doesn’t the Ministry of Culture of the LPR now need to issue an order on the temporary suspension of all concert, exhibition and theater activities?