The theater building. Phot courtesy by asiaplustj.info
The building of the National Theater of Tajikistan is scheduled to be completed in September 2026, Asia-Plus reports, citing Minister of Culture Matlubakhon Sattorien. The construction is planned to finish ahead of the country’s celebration of 35 years of independence.
The minister noted that specialists from her department have reviewed the progress of construction and provided recommendations to builders on the use of sound equipment and other technical systems.
The future theater is expected to become the largest in Central Asia. Currently, this title belongs to the Astana Opera State Theater in Kazakhstan.
According to a project developed over five years, the theater in Dushanbe will be a seven-story building, including two underground and five aboveground levels, with a total height of 34.5 meters. The building will feature three large halls, as well as numerous smaller halls and rooms. The main hall will have a seating capacity of 2,500, while the other two halls will accommodate 1,200 and 1,000 spectators respectively.
The main stage will measure 30 by 21.6 meters and will include an orchestra pit, two side stages, a backstage area, and rehearsal halls. Exhibition spaces will be located on the upper floors, alongside rooms for rehearsals, an art workshop, and other facilities. The underground levels will house a parking lot for 250 vehicles, as well as technical and utility rooms.
ℹ️ Construction of the National Theater in Dushanbe, located in the National Flag Park of Tajikistan, began in 2015 on the initiative of President Emomali Rahmon. The project is classified as “special priority,” and every year, government decrees exempt the import of construction materials and equipment for the theater from VAT and customs duties.
In 2018, construction was halted due to a lack of funding but resumed in 2019. At that time, it was announced that the project would be completed by 2020. However, due to the pandemic, the timeline was pushed back, first to 2021, and now to 2026.
