Vinnytsia Theater Launches Art Therapy for Veterans and Displaced

In the Vinnytsia Academic Musical-Dramatic Theater named after Sadovskyi, they launched the initiative “Art Therapy,” within which displaced persons, veterans, and their family members will have the opportunity to become actors and readers in a theatrical performance that will unite art and the healing of the soul.

This was announced by Svitlana Fitsaylo, who heads the theater’s literary and dramatic department.

“This project will reach people whose lives have been scorched by war. We will present the performance from the play and the poetic part. The actors and readers will be veterans, their family members, and forcibly displaced people. Previously they came to us as spectators, and now they are restoring inner balance as artists in our project.”

Among the participants are women whose husbands died in the war or went missing, displaced persons and defenders who, after injuries, are undergoing rehabilitation.

“We are jointly seeking healing through the arts. Rehearsals have already begun. The premiere is planned for December 6 – in honor of the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The project aims to support one another, help endure the brutal war, and recover through art.”

Overall, the project will involve about ten people, with the theater’s creative staff also joining the team.

What to expect from the initiative and the ceremonial premiere

On the theater’s small stage on December 6, the initiative’s participants will perform a detective play “The One Who Came from Rangoon,” during which poems by contemporary Ukrainian poets will be recited by members of the families of veterans and displaced persons.

Additionally, it is worth noting that similar projects using art-based rehabilitation are already being implemented in the region: Barsky MKhAT, with the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation, is involving veterans and their family members in performances.