Language Controversy at an Odessa Theater: An Investigation Was Conducted Following the Canceled Performance

The Odesa Regional Academic Drama Theater conducted a language audit in response to complaints. Five administrative reports were filed—one against the theater’s director and four against members of the Artistic Council.
 

This was reported by Anna Nerush, a representative of the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language in Odesa.

The inspection began following public outcry over the cancellation of the play “Mina Mazailo,” which was being staged by a student director.

Nerush contacted the student director who encountered this situation and explained to him his right to file a complaint if the language law had been violated.

The student filed a complaint and attached audio recordings to it. He recorded conversations with the theater’s management, as well as the Artistic Council meeting itself.

The recordings were sent to the Security Service of Ukraine for review within the scope of its authority.

The Commissioner twice sent the theater a request to provide explanations and materials related to the investigation. The theater refused to do so.

Initially, the theater claimed that the Commissioner lacked the necessary authority. Later, they cited personal data protection as a reason.

A witness called in to the case identified the people on the audio recordings who were speaking Russian.

The theater’s director and members of the Artistic Council who could be identified were summoned for questioning. Among them were two People’s Artists of Ukraine and one Honored Artist of Ukraine.

Members of the Artistic Council explained that they had conducted the meeting in Russian at the complainant’s request.

“He has a poor understanding of Ukrainian theater terminology,” they stated, citing Article 30 of the Language Law, which pertains to customer service.

However, according to Nerush, the complainant speaks Ukrainian fluently and holds a specialized degree in theater from a Ukrainian university.

Furthermore, the language of meetings and sessions of municipal enterprises is governed by Article 12 of the law. This article does not provide for switching to another language at the request of any individual.

The meeting, during which the audit materials were reviewed, lasted two and a half hours. Participants shouted, interrupted one another, and resorted to personal accusations.

As a result of the review:

• the theater director was issued a citation under Article 188-53 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses for failure to comply with the Commissioner’s requirements;
• protocols were drawn up against four members of the Artistic Council under Article 12 of the law—for violating the language requirements governing the operations of municipal enterprises.

Anna Nerush emphasized that she does not want this situation to lead to the cancellation of the theater’s performances.

“I consider this unfair to the other actors and theater staff who have nothing to do with this situation,” she noted, adding that responsibility should be assigned on an individual basis.

Ірина Глухова