A small basement in central Kyiv has become a sanctuary for Ukrainian soldiers, their wives, and widows seeking to process the visceral trauma of the country's ongoing war. The Veterans’ Theatre, founded in 2024, operates as a four-month workshop where participants transform their frontline experiences and personal losses into theatrical productions.
One current production,Twenty One, tells the story of Maryna, a refugee from Russian-annexed Crimea whose husband is serving on the front line. The play blends magic realism with the harsh realities of raising funds for drones and weapons while waiting for news of a loved one. Actress Kateryna Svyrydenko, who plays the lead role, says the work reflects the daily burden faced by many Ukrainian families.
“There is enough of everything, one can cry, laugh, think,” Svyrydenko said. Her own husband went missing in action in 2022, and she noted that the emotional toll on the families left behind is often overlooked.
Turning pain into performance
The theatre serves as a bridge between the front line and the home front. Students work with professional instructors to dissect their experiences, ranging from physical injuries and amputations to the psychological strain of captivity. Director Kateryna Vyshneva emphasizes that the goal is to document the war through the eyes of those living through it.
“We have to talk about the war using the words of its participants, through the eyes of those who survived it,” Vyshneva said. “It’s important to document the here and now while it hurts, while it’s hot, it’s burning.”
For many of the performers, the stage provides a form of therapy. Oleksandr Tkachuk, a 36-year-old veteran and filmmaker who directed a previous play about a military medic, describes this process as a "side effect of art." He says the act of reliving trauma on stage allows participants to break down their experiences and turn flashbacks into clear, calm memories.
The plays resonate deeply with audiences, many of whom have endured similar hardships. During performances, the boundary between the stage and the audience often dissolves, creating a collective catharsis. Vyshneva noted that viewers often find themselves breathing in unison with the actors, sharing in the collective hope for a "happy end" that remains elusive in real life.
As the war continues, the theatre aims to preserve these stories for future generations. For the families involved, the stage offers a rare space to vocalize their grief and wait for their loved ones in a communal setting, even as the conflict continues to shape their lives.
