The oldest theatre in Belarus opened on June 5, 1890, on the site of the city theatre that had burned down three years earlier. The architects Vvedensky and Kozlovsky employed stylistic devices from different movements, resulting in a building whose appearance blended Classicism, Baroque, and Renaissance.
The multi-level facade with a Baroque gable was adorned with windows of various shapes with molded surrounds, semi-columns with ornate capitals, and balustrades. But the Minsk theatre developed rapidly, and by the beginning of the 20th century the building no longer had enough space for its needs.
It was rebuilt only after the war, and in fact twice - in 1949 and 1960. After these changes, the Yanka Kupala National Academic Theatre almost completely lost its historical appearance.
Fortunately, when at the beginning of the 21st century the theatre again became too cramped to accommodate all of Minsk's talent, it was decided to expand the building substantially once more while restoring its original appearance. The reconstruction began in 2010, and 3 years later the theatre reappeared before theatregoers in its original form.
The Yanka Kupala National Academic Theatre is known for its rich repertoire. The theatrical tradition of Belarus was born here, developing through productions based on plays by Kupala, Chekhov, Shakespeare, Moliere, and other celebrated playwrights.
