The Mongolian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet announced on Thursday (16 January) the suspension of all February events and concerts. This surprise announcement is evidently due to internal matters.  According to an official statement, the opera house will resume operation from March and February tickets will be refunded.

Nevertheless, this statement raised suspicions about the long-term future of the impressive building of the National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet. Is it on the “to demolish” list?

The old neo-classical building of the Natural History Museum was demolished at the end of 2019. According to sources, the government has approved MNT 54.6 billion for the reconstruction of the National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet in the 2020 State Budget, following MNT 52 billion for National Academic Drama Theatre, MNT 52.4 billion for National Library of Mongolia and MNT 80 billion National Sports Stadium.

There are fears that there will be little to remind us of Ulaanbaatar as it used to be!