Ukraine's Veterans' Theatre Turns War Trauma into Artistic Catharsis

Founded in 2024, Kyiv's Veterans' Theatre serves as a unique therapeutic school where wounded soldiers, their wives, and widows transform personal war trauma into stage plays. The article highlights the play 'Twenty One,' an autobiographical work by Olha Murashko about a woman waiting for her missing husband while raising funds for the front line. Performed by actress Kateryna Svyrydenko, the production blends magic realism with harsh reality to depict the psychological toll of the conflict on families. By acting out their pain, amputations, and fears, participants achieve collective catharsis, allowing both the performers and the audience to process grief through shared resonance. The theatre aims to document the current war from the perspective of survivors, ensuring future generations understand the human cost of the ongoing conflict.