THEATER AT WARTIME

19 February 2023, 15.00 – 17.00

Kulturhuset Lilla Studion - Stockholm

The theater landscape of Ukraine is multifaceted. The traditional theaters exist alongside new formats and meanings. There were more than 400 private and public theaters in Ukraine before February 24, 2022. With the beginning of a full-scale war, these art institutions in Ukraine have transformed the way they work. They strive to contribute to victory in multiple ways: providing the military and civilians with essential supplies, organizing shelters for internally displaced people, helping colleagues from other cities or working as bomb shelters. Alongside volunteering, some theaters, especially in relatively safe regions, are redesigning their performances to raise the fighting spirit of Ukrainians and collect funds for the army or affected civilians.

The tragic year of the war saw however also an unprecedented international breakthrough of Ukrainian theaters, evidenced by tours, participation in numerous festivals, and even awards.

This panel will discuss the dramatic journey of Ukrainian theaters during the war, from bombardement to international recognition. We will explore how theaters can reinvent themselves under the direst of circumstances.