Restoration of the destroyed State Theatre nearing completion in Northern Cyprus

In Northern Cyprus, the restoration of the Turkish Cypriot State Theatre building, which was completely destroyed by a fire nearly 27 years ago, is continuing. In 2026, the project reached its final stage: the 3rd and 4th phases of construction and technical works have begun.

Contracts for the new phases were signed between the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the contractor companies. The works are being carried out in parallel and are expected to be completed within this year.

The State Theatre building was severely damaged by a fire in the late 1990s and was removed from the country’s cultural life for many years. Its restoration has been carried out in stages:

• the first stage (construction of load-bearing structures) was previously completed,
• followed by the second stage, which included rough construction and external cladding.

The project has now entered its final phase, during which the theatre is to be fully prepared for operation.

The third stage of works includes the installation of:

• heating, cooling and ventilation systems;
• fire alarm and fire suppression systems;
• electrical networks;
• interior equipment — furniture, audience seating, acoustic panels;
• metal structures of the stage infrastructure.

These works are being carried out by Buldukmen Şirketi.

The fourth stage is dedicated to the technical “heart” of the theatre — the stage. It includes the installation of:

• lighting equipment,
• sound systems,
• stage mechanisms,
• a rotating stage.

The works are being implemented through an international tender by Zarf Yapı İnşaat Şirketi.

According to the ministry, if the current pace is maintained, all stages will be completed within a year, and the official opening of the renovated theatre is planned for July. The building is expected to return to the country’s cultural life in a fully modernized and technically equipped form.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu called the restoration of the theatre an important milestone for the cultural life of Northern Cyprus.

According to him, this is not just a construction project, but the return of a lost cultural space:

“State theatres are not just a building. They are the heart of art, creativity and cultural life. We are glad that the long years of waiting are coming to an end,” Ataoğlu noted.

He emphasized that the authorities’ goal is to return the theatre to society after decades of inactivity, preserving its significance as a key cultural venue of the country.