In Rivne, displaced actors performed a Forum Theater play for IDPs and local residents, representatives of NGOs, charities, and local authorities. The Forum Theater is a unique format that provides for direct audience involvement. Thanks to this, people with different backgrounds often find unconventional solutions to the problems discussed in the play.
The event was held as part of the United Voices in Action program, implemented by International Organization IREX in Ukraine together with the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” and with the support of the U.S. Department of State.
The play is titled “In a Circle”. It tells the story of an IDP mother who escapes occupation with her two children. The bags and suitcases the protagonist carries serve as metaphors for the immense burdens and challenges confronted by IDPs. At first, social services, charitable organizations, and volunteers take some of the burden away, but eventually, she has to carry it all herself, meaning she has to take care of all the family’s needs on her own.
Svitlana Bidiuk, the regional coordinator of the United Voices in Action program in Rivnenska Oblast, says that such events help to highlight the issues affecting IDPs:
“Such performances provide an opportunity to draw attention to the problems, experiences, and concerns that IDPs face in a new place, as well as to understand them better. The viewers shared their opinions, and took on the role of the main character, trying to find solutions to her problems. It was evident that the topic struck a chord with many people.”
For example, Nataliya Oliynyk, an IDP from Lysychansk, noted that the protagonist’s story is essentially the personal story of every IDP woman. She has had this experience herself:
“As a mother of a teenager, children are the world to me. For us internally displaced persons, providing our children the same opportunities they had before is challenging. Back in our original homes, our children had their friends, their routines, and passions. Now, the majority of extracurriculars for teens come with a fee, a cost we struggle with as IDPs due to our many responsibilities and expenses, like housing which consumes thousands of hryvnias monthly—funds that once went to our children’s growth.”
Following the performance, the audience engaged in an animated discussion. The prevailing sentiment was the importance of garnering the support of local authorities. In areas with high concentrations of IDPs, the majority are vulnerable groups such as the elderly, single mothers, and their children. It’s essential for the community to assist them specifically, as they, too, now belong to this community.
Svitlana Bidiuk said, “Such events pave the way for local authorities to grasp the assistance IDPs need for smoother integration. Psychological support, especially for teenagers, is also crucial. While it’s unreasonable to expect external forces to solve all challenges, it’s equally unfair to presume one can navigate everything solo. Only through collective efforts can IDPs truly settle into their new surroundings.”
Nataliya Teslyk, project coordinator for the United Voices in Action program, mentioned that such events are held across 15 Ukrainian oblasts. Forum Theaters provide a platform to bridge the communication gap between IDPs, government representatives, and proactive civic groups:
“For IDPs, especially those with families, assimilating into a new community is difficult. Their foremost concerns revolve around their children’s safety and well-being. Challenges like finding a place to live and establishing a stable life in such conditions underscore their need for tangible support. What’s vital is for Ukrainians to stand united, avoiding divisions between IDPs and local residents.”
Ultimately, after each performance, the hope is for audiences to recognize their shared concern for each other, coming together in unity. By the way, nearly 57,000 IDPs have officially registered in Rivnenska Oblast.