Pushkin Russian Drama Theatre

Ashgabat


While Turkmen productions flourish, the Russian Theatre is dying a slow death. No longer supported by the government, the once-proud Pushkin Russian Drama Theatre saw its original theatre demolished and was moved into a smaller facility near Gunesh Park. Performances are held at 19:00 on Saturday and Sunday. Ballet and opera are not performed in Ashgabat, thanks to a presidential decree banning both.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Ashgabat attractions

1. Circus

0.46 MILES

This Soviet-era circus building, which resembles a flying saucer, has been 'Turkmenised' with a coating of white marble. It's definitely worth a look if…

2. Iranian Mosque

0.75 MILES

The angular, futuristic Iranian mosque, illuminated with green neon, is on Görogly köçesi on the western outskirts of the city.

3. Mosque of Khezrety Omar

1.4 MILES

The modern mosque of Khezrety Omar, off Atamurat Niyazov köçesi, is worth visiting for its wonderfully garish painted ceilings.

4. Museum of Fine Arts

1.68 MILES

The Museum of Fine Arts is located in an impressive building with a big rotunda, two tiers and lots of gold. The collection contains some great Soviet…

5. Statue of Lenin

1.88 MILES

The statue of Lenin, in a small park off Azadi köçesi, is a charmingly incongruous assembly of a tiny Lenin on an enormous and very Central Asian plinth…

7. Independence Square

2.04 MILES

At the centre of Ashgabat is the enormous Independence Square, on which sits the golden-domed Palace of Turkmenbashi (the place of work of the former…

8. Majlis

2.04 MILES

Turkmenistan's parliament building is opposite Independence Square.