Theater on Podil, Kiev

The Theater on Podil, officially known as the Kyiv Academic Drama Theater on Podil, is a prominent drama theater situated in the historic Podil district of Kyiv. Founded in 1987 and led for many years by the Ukrainian theater director Vitaliy Malakhov, the institution quickly gained recognition for its focus on contemporary interpretations of classic and modern plays.

In 2006, it was granted the status of an “Academic Drama Theater,” reflecting its artistic and cultural contribution to the Ukrainian performing arts scene.

The theater underwent a major renovation and reopening in 2017, an event that sparked widespread debate in Kyiv. Its new modernist architectural design sharply contrasted with the surrounding historic buildings of Podil, provoking both criticism and praise. Many residents viewed the minimalist, angular structure as incompatible with the district’s heritage, while others defended it as a bold and necessary example of modern architecture within the city’s evolving urban landscape.

Despite the controversy, the new building quickly gained recognition in professional circles. In 2018, the reconstruction project received the Grand Prix at the Ukrainian Urban Awards and first prize in the “Architecture of Cultural and Social Objects” category. The following year, the Theater on Podil was nominated for the prestigious European Architectural Award — the Mies van der Rohe Award 2019 — further establishing its place on the architectural map of Europe.