The Janka Kupala National Academic Theatre is the oldest existing theatre in Belarus, founded in 1920. It is named for Janka Kupala, one of the two founding figures of modern Belarusian literature and regarded as the national poet — though his actual name was Ivan Lutsevich; "Janka Kupala" was a pen name. The theatre specialises in Belarusian-language productions and is considered the home of national drama.
The theatre building on Vulitsa Engelsa dates to 1890 and was rebuilt after wartime damage. In recent years it has been associated with Belarus's democratic opposition movement: in 2020, following the disputed presidential election, the entire company resigned en masse to protest the political situation — an act of collective defiance that was remarkable in its visibility. Many of those who resigned subsequently went into exile or faced legal consequences.
Even if you can't follow a Belarusian-language production, attending a performance here is a way to engage with a living Belarusian cultural tradition that has survived considerable pressure to Russify it. Check the schedule at the box office on Vulitsa Engelsa 7.