In Uzhhorod, amateur actresses 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 audience witnessed a play titled “Lost Dream.” Nataliya Teslyk, coordinator of the United Voices in Action program, explained that the narrative revolves around a lost childhood dream. The plot starts with the once joyous pre-war life of a now-displaced family:

“Life was harmonious: the elder child was immersed in piano studies while the younger one eagerly anticipated a promised pet cat. The family, bound by warmth, consisted of a hardworking father, a homemaker mother, and doting visits from the grandmother. However, war disrupted this serenity. Now relocated to a strange city, the mother, grandmother, and children find themselves huddled in limited space. The absence of personal space means no piano and no awaited pet. As their familiar anchors crumble, family ties strain, revealing an urgent need for support.”

Uzhhorod’s regional performance was profoundly moving, sparking intense dialogue. Tetiana Ihnatio, leader of the Educational Kolping Center, highlighted the play’s intricate themes:

“Children grapple with daily challenges, but they’re also on a quest for self-identity. There is a deep feeling: I can find myself here, but, for example, the lack of spots at the music school threatens to make this impossible.”

The conversation pivoted towards children accessing extracurricular education and developing their talents. Alla Chernobuk, head of the Department of Culture, Youth, and Sports and is an IDP Coordination Council member in Uzhhorod, weighed in, emphasizing the support IDP families with children should obtain:

“With the full-scale invasion displacing thousands of children here, our mission is to ease their integration. I wholeheartedly welcome these displaced children into our arts and sports institutions. Their childhoods deserve joy and fulfillment.”

The discussions at the event also addressed adult issues, diving into the challenges of lost resources, the critical need for emotional healing, and the community’s potential role in ameliorating circumstances. Mariya Harazha, leader of the NGO Tochka Rivnovahy (Point of Balance) and an IDP Coordination Council member in Uzhhorod, confessed that even though it was her second time attending a Forum Theater performance, the raw emotions were palpable:

“People hold onto the hope of returning home, but relentless hostilities shatter these aspirations. Familiar elements from their previous lives, like routine music lessons, could ease the displacement’s feelings of instability. Many relocate in a state of weariness, lacking the energy to seek opportunities independently. They need support.”

Anzhela Babkina, the regional coordinator for the United Voices in Action program in Zakarpatska Oblast, pointed out the potential of the Forum Theater approach in catalyzing societal changes:

“The Lost Dream resonated deeply, casting a spotlight on the day-to-day struggles of a typical IDP family with children grappling to find their footing in a new community. Their battles range from household and emotional hurdles to financial constraints. Yet, the audience’s proactive suggestions for the family in the play underscore a crucial message: possibilities exist, but they need to be sought out.”

The Forum Theater performance in Uzhhorod gave IDPs the opportunity to communicate with each other and with others. Most importantly, the audience realized after the performance that they were not indifferent to each other and could cooperate to achieve a common goal. The goal of the United Voices in Action program is to support IDPs across Ukraine, and such events are one more opportunity to establish communication between IDPs, government officials, and proactive citizens.

Over 150 thousand internally displaced persons are officially registered in the Zakarpattia region.