VIP-hall, food courts, and a planetarium. Mogilev's oldest constructivist cinema closed for reconstruction
The disappearance of Mogilev's oldest cinema "Chyrvonaya Zorka" ("Red Star") from city posters since May 9 raised questions among many residents. Initially, employees referred to abstract "technical reasons," while the administration of "Kinavideaprakat" ("Cinema and Video Rental") gave a laconic answer: preparation for reconstruction. We have figured out what the 1930 constructivist monument will transform into after a large-scale renovation.
Modern view of the "Chyrvonaya Zorka" cinema. The cinema is known to Mogilev residents by its Belarusian name; the Russian adaptation did not stick. Photo: Google Maps
The cinema on Pershamayskaya Street was built in 1930 on the site of the pre-revolutionary illusion cinema "Chary" ("Charms"), which in turn appeared on the foundations of the burnt-down exercise-house — a gigantic riding arena erected by the famous Russian architect Vasily Stasov.
Announcement about the closure of the cinema from May 9 due to "technical reasons." Photo from social networks
The author of the cinema project is named engineer E. Losser — an absolutely mysterious figure, as besides this surname with initials, which were first mentioned in the book "History of Architecture of Belarus. Soviet Period" (1975) by architectural historian Anatol Voyinau, nothing more is known about him. In a book published in 1983, dedicated to "Beldzyarzhpraekt" (Belarusian State Project), a certain "R. Ye. Losser" is named in the list of prominent pre-war specialists, but later, in the projects section, in the captions to photographs, E. Losser appears again.
The cinema once had a large, almost poster-like inscription in Belarusian "Kino / teatr" (Cinema / theatre), which has not survived to our time, but which would be worth restoring as a characteristic feature of 1930s architecture. Photo: Globus of Belarus
During the German occupation, the communist name of the cinema on the facade was covered with a new inscription with a new name — "Luch" (Ray). 1943. Photo: audiovis.nac.gov.pl
The same Voyinau reports that Losser was also the author of the capital's "Chyrvonaya Zorka" cinema (1928), which has not survived to our days. The Mogilev building, despite the destruction of World War II and subsequent reconstructions in 1948 and 1954, has come down to us in its original form with minor losses.
The first sound cinema "Chyrvonaya Zorka" in the BSSR, which opened in Minsk on November 10, 1930, was rebuilt from the pre-revolutionary "Gigant" cinema according to the design of E. Losser, who also designed the cinema of the same name in Mogilev.
From immersive cinema to VIP zones: what will change inside
According to the design assignment, approved in 2025, the internal space of the cinema must be completely reformatted.
On the first floor, the main re-planning will affect the main cinema hall and part of the foyer. Three viewing spaces are planned to be created here. The large auditorium with 200 seats will be re-equipped for immersive cinema and planetarium functions. In addition to it, a second, "family" hall with 60 seats and a small "comfort" hall with 30 seats will appear.
Original plan of the "Chyrvonaya Zorka" cinema in Mogilev. Photo: from the book "History of Architecture of Belarus. Soviet Period", 1975
First-floor plan of the cinema. Photo: pre-design documentation
The ticket offices, for which rooms are currently allocated in the ceremonial, semicircular part of the building, will be merged into one line with a cinema bar, where a full-fledged kitchen is provided for serving visitors. Also on the first floor, areas will be allocated for a food court and a general cloakroom.
On the second floor, the focus will be on premium recreation. A VIP hall with 30 seats will appear there, which will have its own cloakroom. Adjacent to it, a separate gaming zone (also with its own cloakroom) and another cinema bar will be located. As on the lower level, part of the second floor's area will be given over to a second food court.
Modern view of the cinema's auditorium. Photo: chyrvonayazorka_mogilev
Modern view of the cinema's foyer. Photo: Google Maps
All four halls will be controlled centrally from a single control room.
All cinema halls must receive modern technical equipment: 4K laser projectors and surround sound systems. To create a unified atmosphere in all halls, corridors, ticket offices, and restrooms, a centralized music and information system will be installed. An elevator will be equipped in the building for visitors with reduced mobility.
As for the timelines for this large-scale project, the development of design and estimate documentation was supposed to be completed by the end of May. The "Kinavideaprakat" announcement about the closure due to design and survey work either misleads or indicates a significant delay from the schedule. According to earlier plans, construction work should be completed in 2027.
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