Vladimir Urin visits the Bolshoi Theater branch that is currently in construction in Kaliningrad

Dmitry Rzhannikov, General Director of STG-Zapad LLC, and Vladimir Urin, General Director of the Bolshoi Theatre

Vladimir Urin, General Director of the Bolshoi Theater, visits the construction site on Oktyabrsky Island in Kaliningrad. Mr. Urin pays particular attention to checking the building's construction progress and discussing relevant concerns and challenges.

The meeting was also attended by Anatoly Barsukov, Deputy General Director of the Bolshoi Theatre, Aleksandr Berest, Head of the Construction Directorate Branch of the National Cultural Heritage Foundation for Social and Cultural Projects in Kaliningrad, and Dmitry Rzhannikov, General Director of STG-Zapad.

During the visit, representatives of the Bolshoi Theater visited the construction site, climbed one of the eight grand staircases, looked at the future main auditorium of 950 seats, and the foyer with a beautiful view of the Pregolya River.

"The significance of creating a cultural cluster in the region is important for all of Russia. It's obvious. That is why, despite the current challenges, the pace of construction of the Bolshoi Theater branch is not slowing down. And, of course, it is fundamental that we work in full cooperation with the builders.  So I'm at the construction site all the time. There is still a huge amount of work ahead, but the cast-in-place structures are 75 percent complete. In fact, we are already talking about the interior decorations and the hall decorations," said Vladimir Urin, General Director of the Bolshoi Theater.

We communicate with the Bolshoi Theatre representatives every day. We are now actively engaged in the production of the stage curtain for the main auditorium. The key task is to make it similar to the historical stage of the capital's theatre. There are certain nuances in the material, the embroidery, and the manufacturer of the curtain. As before, we listen to the opinion and wishes of our partners on all current issues at each stage, be it design, architecture, or any immediate elements of the interior decoration, and coordinate all the questions, "- explains Dmitry Rzhannikov, General Director of STG-Zapad.

In Kaliningrad, the building of the Bolshoi Theatre branch of 36 thousand square meters is located on Paradnaya Embankment. Architects from a leading foreign bureau worked on its image. In creating the shape of the theatre building, the architects were inspired by a ballerina performing a "cou-de-pie" spin. This created the form of the main facade - a hyperboloid of rotation with a hinged console and 80 m outreach. The architects sought to create a minimalist space in the building that will have an authentic look even after many years of service. Spectacular diagonal layout of the Opera and Ballet Theatre will provide its unique view from the scenery spots in the city.

Background:
The task to create four cultural centres was set by Russian President V. V. Putin in the 2018 State of the Nation speech and spelled out in detail in the Decree “On National Goals and Strategic Objectives of the Russian Federation for the Period until 2024.”
Construction of the cultural and education complex in Kaliningrad is underway by Stroytransgaz Group as commissioned by the National Cultural Heritage Foundation for Social and Cultural Projects.