Culture Minister Alexander Avdeyev promised Sunday at a meeting with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that construction of the new Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg would be completed this year, Interfax reported Sunday.
"We gave back to the Finance Ministry 2 billion unused rubles ($67.7 million) last year and they just have to return them to us this year and … we will complete construction," Avdeyev said.
Construction of the second stage of the theater has been going on for more than eight years. Since 2006 about 19 billion rubles have been allocated for a new theater building with seven floors above ground and three underground. The project was originally estimated to cost 9.5 billion rubles.
(MT)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
