Russia has faced severe condemnation after reopening the Mariupol Drama Theatre, a site where numerous civilians seeking shelter were killed during Russian airstrikes in March 2022, weeks into the invasion of Ukraine. The reopening of the theatre this week has been widely described as 'dancing on bones' by critics, particularly given the tragic history associated with the building.

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, a prominent cultural landmark in the port city, had its basement utilized as a shelter by families fleeing the conflict. In a desperate attempt to deter attacks, the word 'children' was painted in enormous letters outside the theatre. Despite these efforts, the theatre was bombed, leading to significant loss of life. While international human rights organizations estimate 12 fatalities from the Russian air attacks nearly four years ago, Ukrainian officials staunchly maintain that the actual death toll was in the hundreds.

Following the bombing, Russian forces successfully overwhelmed Ukrainian defenses, leading to the occupation of Mariupol. Since then, the Kremlin undertook the restoration of the theatre. Its recent reopening, however, has been met with widespread condemnation. Mariupol's Ukrainian city council, which was forced to flee the city after the Russian takeover, vehemently denounced the act, labeling it 'singing and dancing on bones'.

A spokesperson for the council further articulated that the restoration and reopening of the theatre represent a 'cynical attempt to conceal the traces of a war crime' and are integral to an 'aggressive policy of Russification of the city'. This assertion is reinforced by observations that the theatre's current repertoire predominantly features works by Russian writers and playwrights, further fueling concerns about cultural assimilation and the erasure of Ukrainian identity in the occupied territory.