Chernihiv Shevchenko Academic Music and Drama Theatre is one of Ukraine's oldest region-level theatres. It was founded in 1926 as part of the reorganisation of a "workers' amateur theatre" at the Red Star, a Kirovograd (then Yelizavetgrad) machine-engineering plant. The amateur theatre was enlarged with professional actors. This "workers' and peasants' " travelling drama theatre was headed by the then famous actor and stage director L. Predslavich. The theatre was opened with a performance of Ivan Kotlyarevsky's "Natalka Poltavka".
In 1933, after the theatre's tour around Kazakhstan, Ukraine's people's commissar (minister) for education sent the entire company to Chernihiv Region, Ukraine. It was in the city of Chernihiv, in early 1934, that the theatre received the status of a stationary theatre. And it was at the same time that the theatre held the premieres of Mikhail Kotsyubinsky's "Fata Morgana" and Yu. Kostyuk's "Taras Shevchenko", both staged by G. Volovik.
When the Second World War began, most of the company was divided into three "concert brigades", which went to the front line. The remaining actors (V. Khmury, V. Konovalov and D. Isenko) returned to Chernihiv to create the Lesograd Theatre. After the war had finished, the company continued working, in the Yeletsk Convent, which had survived. However, at that time the theatre was undergoing a crisis, caused by personnel-related problems and an acute lack of theatrical props.
During the post-war years, the theatre continued its evolution. Its company included many Ukraine's Meritorious Artists and was led by Ukraine's leading cultural figures. During the decades of the history of the Shevchenko Theatre, its stage has seen a multitude of premiere productions.
In 2001, the theatre was granted the status of an academic theatre.
Today, a significant place in the theatre's repertoire is occupied by productions loosely based on the Ukrainian classics, and the theatre stages works of the dramatists from Ukraine and other countries. The company tours actively and participates in a multitude of Ukrainian and international festivals, winning highest awards.
Chernihiv Regional Philharmonic Hall was founded in 1944 by a decree of the regional department at the Directorate for Arts.
In the beginning of its existence, the Philharmonic Hall was situated on the premises of the former Yeletsk Convent. Its own building, with an auditorium that seated 612 people, was obtained by the Philharmonic Hall as lat...
The Shchors Cinema is the first one in the Chernihiv Region. Its history started in 1939. Originally, the Blue Auditorium functioned only. Then the Round Auditorium replaced an orchestra and dancing spectators in the Upper Foyer.
In 1962, the Red Auditorium was opened.
Today, three auditoriums are open in the Cinema and seat 500, 300 and 70 p...
The KinoStantsiya Cinema is situated in the Dafi shopping and leisure centre. In this four-auditorium cinema, one may watch new films and films of various genres. The cinema centre features a bar; showings start every half an hour.
The Cinema is equipped with the best American sound system, Dolby Digital Surround Ex, from Elektrovoice, offering ...