'Theatre Under Fire': fighting for the artistic soul of frontline Ukraine | Ukraine: The Latest

Ukraine the Latest: A Deep Dive into Kharkiv’s Artistic Resilience (December 31, 2023 – January 1, 2024)

Key Concepts:

• Droo (Дроо): A cultural center in Kharkiv, Ukraine, housed in a renovated former industrial building, serving as a hub for artists and community engagement.
• Oeret (Оерет): A young theater company in Kharkiv dedicated to continuing the city’s theatrical legacy amidst the ongoing war.
• Creative Flu (Креативна хвороба): The concept behind Droo, aiming to “infect” the city with creativity and revitalize the artistic scene.
• Slovo House: A historical building in Kharkiv, once a center for writers and artists under Soviet rule, symbolizing the city’s artistic heritage.
• Naboo & Sappo Protests: Recent Ukrainian protests against government attempts to curtail the powers of anti-corruption agencies.

I. Kharkiv’s Artistic Resistance: The Story of Droo and Oeret

The episode revisits a previous visit to Kharkiv, Ukraine, focusing on the resilience of the city’s artistic community in the face of ongoing war. The central focus is Droo, a cultural center established by a collective of young artists in a repurposed, over 100-year-old industrial building. This building, described as being in “pretty poor shape,” is undergoing renovation driven entirely by the artists themselves, with no initial external funding. The core idea, termed “Creative Flu” (Креативна хвороба), is to reignite Kharkiv’s artistic scene.

Oeret, a theater company led by Anastasia Nusmean (23), is a key tenant of Droo. Founded approximately two years ago, Oeret initially funded its activities through charitable performances supporting the Ukrainian military. Now, all performance revenue is reinvested into the Droo renovation. Actors and contributors volunteer their time, motivated by a deep commitment to their craft and community. Anastasia emphasizes that the project isn’t solely about creating a theater space, but about fostering a broader artistic community and attracting people back to Kharkiv to create. She states, “It’s like we should take care of our history like now more than ever.”

II. Kharkiv’s Theatrical History and Current Challenges

Kharkiv has a rich theatrical history, historically being a major center for avant-garde artists and a stronghold of Ukrainian identity despite its predominantly Russian-speaking population. Before the invasion, the city boasted over 20 experimental theaters and several national theaters. The war has led to a significant exodus of artists, but those remaining are determined to revive the scene.

Anastasia highlights the unique energy of Kharkiv’s artistic environment, arguing that pressure and hardship foster creativity. She notes that artists in Kharkiv are “at the moment” because of the constant threat of danger, leading to a heightened sense of urgency and authenticity in their work. She quotes directors who have stated they feel a unique energy in Kharkiv that they don’t experience elsewhere. Currently, only experimental theaters remain active, as national theaters are closed due to security concerns.

III. Droo’s Spaces and Artistic Focus

Droo comprises several spaces in various stages of restoration. A square room is being adapted as a theater space, intentionally lacking a traditional stage to encourage closer interaction between actors and audience. Another space, a large white room, serves as a gallery, showcasing a diverse range of art.

Maran, the gallery director, describes the gallery’s mission as promoting young artists and breaking down barriers to entry. The gallery hosts weekly events, workshops, and performances, operating on a donation basis and avoiding censorship. A current exhibition features a sound installation by Sasha Gladki, titled “double mono,” consisting of 206 speakers. Maran notes a 50/50 split between art directly addressing the war and art offering an escape from it, with Kharkiv artists tending to contextualize the war rather than making it the central focus.

IV. Anastasia Nusmean’s Update: Current Conditions and Future Plans (January 2024)

A follow-up interview with Anastasia Nusmean reveals significant progress in the Droo renovation. The space now has a wooden floor and new curtains, and recently hosted a large charity concert. While central heating remains unavailable, the center utilizes electric heaters funded by a Christmas fundraising effort.

Future plans include collaborations with theaters from other Ukrainian cities and the revival of Oeret’s play, “Apricot Blossom.” The play, inspired by the director’s experiences in Nippro during the first year of the invasion, explores themes of past, future, and choice, drawing stylistic inspiration from David Lynch.

Anastasia describes the ongoing challenges of living in Kharkiv, including frequent air raid sirens (over 10 per day) and the risk of infrastructure damage. She emphasizes the resilience of the community and the importance of art in maintaining morale.

V. The Broader Context: Political Sentiment and Exodus of Young Men

Anastasia discusses the general mood in Kharkiv regarding recent diplomatic efforts, expressing skepticism that they will lead to a quick resolution. She notes a pattern of increased missile strikes coinciding with diplomatic meetings. She also addresses the recent government decision to allow younger men to leave the country, stating that while it has led to some departures within her social circle, many artists remain committed to staying and contributing to Ukraine’s cultural life. She emphasizes the importance of stability for Ukraine, even amidst political changes.

She also notes that the recent protests against the government regarding Naboo and Sappo were widespread, but that the focus remains on supporting the army.

VI. Concluding Remarks & The Legacy of Artistic Resistance

The episode concludes by highlighting the enduring spirit of artistic resistance in Kharkiv. Droo is presented as a modern embodiment of the city’s historical commitment to art and cultural identity, echoing the legacy of Slovo House. The podcast emphasizes the importance of supporting Ukraine’s artistic community and challenging the perception of Kharkiv as a desolate city. The final message is one of hope and resilience, celebrating the dedication of Ukrainian artists who continue to create and inspire despite the ongoing war.

Notable Quotes:

• Anastasia Nusmean: “Bravery takes you through the most unimaginable hardships to finally reward you with victory.”
• Anastasia Nusmean: “It’s like we should take care of our history like now more than ever.”
• Anastasia Nusmean: “I think that the art it cannot progress in a soft and warm periods but only in the harsh times.”
• Anastasia Nusmean: “It’s a specific time when the art starts developing and it's not going rotten.”

Data & Statistics:

• Kharkiv historically had over 20 experimental theaters and several national theaters before the invasion.
• Droo hosts weekly events, workshops, and performances.
• Kharkiv experiences over 10 air raid sirens per day.
• Droo recently hosted a charity concert with almost 100 guests.

Logical Connections:

The episode flows logically from establishing the context of Kharkiv’s artistic heritage to showcasing the current efforts of Droo and Oeret. The follow-up interview with Anastasia provides an update on the renovation and offers insights into the daily realities of life in Kharkiv. The discussion of political sentiment and the exodus of young men adds a broader perspective on the challenges facing the city. The concluding remarks tie everything together, emphasizing the enduring spirit of artistic resistance.