MAKE ART NOT WAR
Four Ukrainians, two Russians, one Belarusian and one Finnish are joining forces following the launch of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine in 2022. They are conscientious objectors and pacifists and they join their voices in parallel monologues from their bombed cities and unknown exiles to call for peace. They share their fears and their hopes, their ideas and their dreams, through a joint performance of excerpts of classical anti-war masterpieces from their countries. They revive the unfinished Russian drama “The light that shines in darkness” by Leo Tolstoy from 1890, the Ukrainian poem “Dream” by Taras Shevchenko from 1844, and the Belarusian poem “Abandoned fields and villages / Songs of War” by Yanka Kupala from 1914. Remotely, yet jointly. In parallel, yet in line.
Playing (appearance order):
Elena Popova, Olga Karatch, Ruslan Kotsaba Kateryna Lanko, Yurii Sheliazhenko, Jessica Calonius, Serhii Ustimenko, Alexander Belik
Special thanks:
Russian Movement of Conscientious Objectors to Military Service (Движение сознательных отказчиков от военной службы)
Ukrainian Pacifist Movement (Український Рух Пацифістів)
Belarusian Nash Dom (НАШ ДОМ)
Finnish Union of Conscientious Objectors (Aseistakieltäytyjäliitto AKL)
European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO)
Poster photo: Friedhelm Schneider
Stills:
Runtime: 22 minutes
#ObjectWarCampaign Solidarity with Conscientious Objectors and Deserters from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine