Russian-language books and signs found in Odessa theater — violations repeated after fines of 17 thousand hryvnias
A representative of the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language reported the results of an on-site inspection of one of the theaters in Odessa. During the inspection, a number of violations of the requirements of the Law of Ukraine "On Ensuring the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as the State Language" were recorded, in particular regarding the service of visitors, book distribution, managing social media pages, and posting information for general acquaintance.
Based on the inspection results, four protocols on administrative offenses were drawn up, and some shortcomings were eliminated by the institution's administration directly during the inspection.
The basis for the state control measures were three complaints from different applicants concerning various violations of language legislation.
Violations during visitor service
As a result of the inspection, a protocol was drawn up regarding the violation of the requirements of Article 30 of the Law, which regulates consumer service.
The complaint included a video recording showing a theater employee providing information to a visitor in Russian.
Russian-language books were sold in the theater
During the inspection, violations of the requirements of Article 26 of the Law concerning book distribution were also found.
Representatives of the Commissioner established that the theater sold books authored by theater actors in a non-state language. Five titles of books in Russian were available for sale, while Ukrainian-language books were absent.
The theater representatives reported their intention to supplement the assortment with Ukrainian-language editions.
At the same time, part five of Article 26 of the Law provides that the share of book editions in the state language in the total number of book titles sold in each bookstore or other establishment engaged in book distribution must be at least 50%.
Russian-language posts and hashtags on social networks
The inspection also recorded violations of the requirements of Article 27 of the Law regarding the functioning of internet representations.
Russian-language posts, hashtags, and publications with Russian-language audio accompaniment were found on the theater's social media pages.
This violation was recorded repeatedly within a year.
At the same time, it is noted that at the time of the inspection, the Russian-language posts and hashtags had already been translated.
Non-state language signs found inside the theater
Another protocol was drawn up for violating the requirements of Article 28 of the Law regarding information for general acquaintance.
Three signs in a non-state language were found inside the theater. This violation was also recorded repeatedly within a year.
During the inspection, the Russian-language signs were dismantled or replaced.
The theater was previously fined
The Secretariat of the Commissioner reminded that in March 2026, as a result of state control measures for the use of the state language, administrative penalties in the form of fines totaling 17 thousand hryvnias were already imposed on this same theater.
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