How Forum Theatre Empowers Frontline Communities in Kharkiv to Navigate Mine Risks Safely

Forum Theatre Tackles Mine Safety in Kharkiv's Frontline Communities

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: In the frontline areas of Kharkiv region, forum theatre has become a vital tool for educating residents about the dangers posed by landmines, drawing directly from their lived experiences. Participants reenact their own stories on stage, experimenting with different responses and collaboratively exploring practical solutions for everyday challenges. The "Safe Steps" initiative, operating across Kharkiv Oblast, is funded by the Italian Cooperation and implemented by the international NGO CESVI in partnership with the local organization Theatre of Change. This approach, inspired by Brazilian theatre director Augusto Boal, offers a safe environment for reflection and action, empowering individuals to value their personal experiences amid mine threats.

Community Voices and Growing Demand for Workshops

Kharkiv region remains one of Ukraine's most heavily mine-contaminated areas. In Izium, teenagers developed a performance illustrating the road to Sloviansk, which became a route of occupation. In Balakliia, participants staged a play about a woman who evacuates, carrying a handful of her homeland’s soil. Meanwhile, in Savintsi, women presented two additional performances portraying the pain of separation from children abroad and the hope of reunion. Participants expressed their determination through sticky notes bearing the word "courage," reflecting their readiness to take proactive steps in difficult circumstances.

Responding to community interest, Theatre of Change has received requests to run six more forum theatre workshops in frontline communities. This highlights the local population’s eagerness to engage actively in initiatives that help them adapt and cope with the evolving realities of conflict.

“We receive food, education, and support, but we want to take action ourselves,” shared a participant from the forum in Savintsi.

The "Safe Steps" project successfully demonstrates how theatrical methods can raise awareness about mine safety while fostering a supportive community prepared to address complex challenges. Participants not only enhance their skills but also build solidarity, prioritizing safety in their daily lives.

Beyond increasing mine risk awareness, "Safe Steps" strengthens social cohesion in communities affected by war. Involving local residents in theatre activities allows them to express their emotions and collectively find solutions to the hardships they face every day. This creative engagement plays a crucial role in helping communities rebuild resilience and hope.

As communities in Kharkiv actively seek innovative ways to address the challenges posed by conflict, initiatives like employment and skills training programs are also gaining traction. These programs aim to empower residents, further enhancing their resilience and adaptability in a rapidly changing environment.