Peace Begins with a Puppet | Valerii Dzekh | TEDxBrayford Pool

Key Concepts

War and art intertwining, cultural preservation, psychological and moral support for soldiers, puppetry as therapy, resilience, empathy, oral traditions, vertep (portable Christmas box theater), cultural genocide, inner child, connection to ancestors, hope, and the role of culture forces in wartime.

Main Topics and Key Points

The Speaker's Dual Role: Soldier and Artist

• The speaker is an officer in the Ukrainian army and, before the full-scale invasion, was an actor and director, running the Mariana puppet theater with his wife Valentina for 10 years.
• The war has merged his military duty with his passion for art. He uses puppetry to support and connect with his fellow soldiers.
• He has conducted over a thousand events in just six months, using puppets to provide psychological and emotional support.

Puppetry as a Lifeline

• Example: A soldier who was contemplating suicide with a grenade changed his mind after watching a puppet show about an angel, highlighting the power of art to inspire hope.
• Puppetry is used as a therapy program in combat training and rehabilitation zones.
• Puppets are seen as a way to connect with the "inner child" and provide comfort, especially for children who have experienced trauma.
• Puppets are described as "amazing diplomats" that can bring people together.

The "Create and Empathize" Concept

• The speaker uses a "create and empathize" concept in his work.
  • Create: Building the world and relationships around you, understanding yourself through action.
  • Empathize: Respecting the world created around you, understanding others through attention and curiosity.

Oral Traditions and Puppetry

• Puppetry is deeply rooted in Ukrainian oral traditions and stories passed down through generations.
• These stories shape conversations, interests, and games, influencing the puppets themselves.
• Puppets help connect to the past and understand one's identity.

Overcoming Skepticism on the Front Lines

• Initially, soldiers mocked the speaker for bringing puppets to the front lines.
• Example: Soldiers joked, "Were you given dolls instead of weapons?"
• However, curiosity soon turned into childhood memories, and soldiers began to engage with the puppets.
• Example: A gun commander asked for a puppet, and they played together amidst explosions.

Cultural Preservation as Resistance

• Many Ukrainian artists, writers, and scientists have taken up arms to protect their culture from "colonial influence and cultural genocide."
• The speaker studied puppet theater acting at Kharkiv National University of Arts, which has been under attack by Russian forces.
• Puppetry is seen as a means to preserve Ukrainian traditions.

The Vertep Tradition

• The vertep is a portable box used during the Christmas season to tell the story of the birth of Christ.
• It's a folk play that has existed for centuries, telling a story of hope, safety, and protection.
• The vertep performance reminds people that they are remembered, part of a community, and not alone.
• During the Soviet occupation, the vertep became a space for resistance.
• Example: In 1947, agents shot and killed two teenagers rehearsing a vertep play in a great-grandmother's house.

Recreating the Vertep on the Front Lines

• The speaker and his comrades built a vertep box in the combat zone and performed for their fellow soldiers.
• The performance moved soldiers to tears, reminding them of their childhoods and traditions.
• They sang carols together, bringing "joyful news" to the people.
• The performance created a sense of community and connection to ancestors.
• "Our inner child meet with our anceptors and we were all together."

The Power of Puppets: An Angel on the Battlefield

• The speaker performs puppet shows in houses where soldiers have recently returned from the battlefield.
• Example: After a show about an angel, a soldier claimed to have seen the same angel during a fight, saying it saved him.
• Puppets offer a connection to the past and a reminder of the world they are fighting to defend.
• Puppets tell a story about the future, a safe and secure world where there is a place for everyone and their values.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The speaker's work demonstrates the profound impact of art, specifically puppetry, in supporting the psychological and emotional well-being of Ukrainian soldiers and preserving cultural heritage during wartime. By intertwining his military duty with his artistic passion, he provides a vital lifeline of hope, connection, and resilience in the face of immense adversity. The revival of traditions like the vertep and the use of puppets as a form of therapy highlight the enduring power of culture to unite, heal, and inspire even in the darkest of times. The speaker's experiences underscore the importance of cultural preservation as an act of resistance and a testament to the unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian people.