Odessa theater “Maski” fined for Russian language use and Russian-language books

The Odessa theater “Maski” has received administrative fines for using the Russian language when communicating with visitors and for selling Russian-language literature.

This was reported in a press release on the website of the Ukrainian Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language.

According to the agency, the inspections were prompted by three complaints, which resulted in four administrative violation reports being drawn up. One of the reports concerns a theater employee’s use of Russian when communicating with visitors. Another relates to the sale of books by the theater’s actors in Russian. The agency also noted that no books in the Ukrainian language were available at the theater.

During the inspection, Russian-language signs were dismantled or replaced.

In addition, Russian-language posts, hashtags, and publications with Russian-language audio were found on the theater’s social media pages. The press release specifies that this violation was recorded for a second time within a year.

This is not the first time “Maski” theater has run afoul of language legislation. In March, the theater was already fined 17,000 hryvnias (approximately €327) for similar violations.