Valery Gergiev voiced his dissatisfaction with the negative impact of subway construction on the main Mariinsky Building

Valery Gergiev, the artistic director of the Mariinsky Theater and general manager of the Bolshoi Theater, voiced his dissatisfaction with the negative impact of subway construction on the main Mariinsky Building in St. Petersburg.

In an interview with Rossiya Gazeta, Gergiev expressed frustration, stating that approximately nine months ago, the city authorities made an ill-advised decision to approve the construction of a subway station near the Mariinsky Theater. Despite assurances from the previous mayor that no construction would occur directly beneath the theater, ongoing underground work for the subway station has caused the nearly 300-year-old building to tremble daily. Gergiev emphasized that the vibrations are particularly concerning on the upper rehearsal stage, raising anxieties among theater staff about the building's safety.

Several years earlier, Gergiev had opposed the construction of a new metro station hall on Theater Square, warning of potential "irreparable damage" to the building. Despite receiving assurances from experts at the St. Petersburg Mining University and the Lenmetrogiprotrans Institute that the impact on the Mariinsky Theater would not result in significant harm, Gergiev maintained his concerns.

Reflecting on the current situation, Gergiev stressed the importance of safeguarding one of the world's greatest architectural treasures, describing the theater as not merely a structure but a monument to Alexander II and Maria Alexandrovna. He underscored the need for legal action, calling for intervention from the courts, the prosecutor general, and even the country's president. Gergiev emphasized that risking such a historic landmark is unacceptable, emphasizing the responsibility of the current generation to protect the unique history of cities like St. Petersburg.

When asked about potential reconstruction projects for the Mariinsky Theater, Gergiev revealed that while such plans have been drafted and shelved twice, unforeseen circumstances have delayed progress. Despite the challenges, he expressed hope that with the support of the president, a magnificent new theater will eventually emerge.

The inaugural service train of the Lakhtinsko-Pravoberezhnaya Metro Line (LPL) recently reached the Teatralnaya metro station, which is currently under construction. It is anticipated that the station will be fully operational by the end of 2026, while the Mining Institute Station, the next stop on the line, is scheduled to commence operations later this year. Consequently, the Teatralnaya metro station will initially handle train traffic exclusively for a certain period.