A large-scale project has begun in Odessa with the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation — "HERITAGE. Digital. Odesa Opera House" — aimed at digitizing the Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, the first opera house built in Ukraine.
The initiative received a UAH 1.2 million grant from the UCF under the “Cultural Heritage” programme and carries special significance as Russian forces continue to ruthlessly destroy historical landmarks. A team of experts from the Lviv-based company Skeiron is carrying out the work, creating a highly detailed 3D model of the historic building with millimeter precision.
“The opera house is located near the port, which is constantly under missile attacks. That’s why it is so important to create a digital, virtual version of the theatre — not just the building, but the artistic and intellectual legacy built by the team over the years,” said Tetiana Poderska, head of the Odesa Opera’s information and advertising department.
The digitization process combines laser scanning and photogrammetry. A special device emits up to one million laser pulses per second, capturing the exact geometry of the structure. Meanwhile, specialists are taking over 15,000 high-resolution photographs to record details invisible at first glance.
The result will be three key products:
- A 3D model of the theatre,
- A digitized collection of the museum and exhibition complex,
- A virtual tour showcasing the most fascinating locations, which will be available on the theatre’s official website.
“The tour will include the main stage, the Turkish room, and the hydraulic system area, where the mechanisms behind artistic productions are located. A narrator will voice detailed descriptions, and scenes will be recreated through video,” explained Iryna Volkanova, assistant to the general director of the Odesa Opera.
This project highlights the UCF’s strategic approach to preserving Ukrainian cultural heritage during wartime, as Russia targets cultural landmarks in an effort to erase Ukrainian identity. Creating a digital twin of the Odesa Opera is both an act of cultural resistance and a guarantee that this architectural gem by the Black Sea will be preserved for future generations — even if physically damaged by the Russian forces.
Digitization is expected to be completed by September 2025, followed by a project presentation and public access to the virtual tour.
For reference: The Ukrainian Cultural Foundation is a state investor in the development of culture and creative industries. Established in 2017 under the Law of Ukraine “On the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation,” it supports projects through open competition in seven sectors: audio art, visual art, audiovisual art, cultural heritage, literature, performing arts, and cultural and creative industries. In eight years, UCF has funded 2,951 projects, impacting society with over UAH 2 billion in investments and reaching an audience of 56 million people.
