The Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theatre in Mariupol is one of the oldest theatres in eastern Ukraine, hosting popular performances and attracting international visitors to the Ukrainian port. Since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the theatre was used as a bomb shelter. The square around it was marked with the sign ДЕТИ (CHILDREN). 

On March 16, Russian aviation dropped a heavy bomb on the theatre while approximately 1000 civilians sheltered under its roof. The building was levelled and hundreds of people tragically lost their lives. Mariupol remains under blockade and heavy Russian attack from air and land.

In an indication of hope and solidarity signs with the word 'ДЕТИ' were lit in front of many theatres in Europe. The Italian Ministry of Culture offered to help rebuild the iconic theatre as soon as possible.

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