Wounded Ukrainian Veterans Perform Epic Poetry in Kyiv as Living War Testimony
In war-weary Kyiv, Ukrainian veterans with severe injuries from Russia's ongoing invasion have taken to the stage in a powerful adaptation of Ivan Kotliarevskyi's "Eneida," transforming 18th-century epic poetry into a living testimony of resilience and survival. The production, which premiered at Kyiv's National Academic Molodyy Theatre, features actors who have returned from the front with amputations, severe burns, and sight loss, many performing for the first time.
From Rehabilitation to the Stage
Directed by Olha Semioshkina, the play required over a year of preparation, with veterans and drama students collaborating to bring the ancient tale to life. "We knew the guys had just come back from rehabilitation, and we had to start from the very beginning," Semioshkina explained. The initial months were spent on basic communication and movement exercises, including learning to fall, group, roll, and adapt without prosthetics.
The director's concept draws a direct parallel between the veterans and the characters they portray. "Every man on stage is Aeneas. Every woman on stage is Dido," she said, referencing Virgil's epic hero who wanders after the fall of Troy. In this adaptation, Aeneas becomes a Cossack, mirroring the veterans' own journeys through trauma and recovery.
Personal Stories Merge with Epic Narrative
During rehearsals, veterans like Yehor Babenko, who suffered severe burns early in the invasion, delivered lines that blurred the line between myth and reality. Babenko's monologue about fire taking his hands, ears, and nose resonated deeply with his own experiences. "For me, theater is both psychological and physical rehabilitation," he shared, noting improved confidence and self-expression through the process.
The play's final act breaks from the epic poetry entirely, allowing actors to step forward and share their own harrowing war stories:
- One veteran described losing his leg in a drone strike and using a machine gun as a crutch.
- A female actor recounted living under Russian occupation with her two daughters.
- Another, who volunteered as a medic in both 2014 and 2022, spoke of returning to war in her 60s.
Andrii Onopriienko, who lost his sight in a 2023 artillery strike, narrated much of the performance, initially hesitant but later embracing the project as a source of positivity and distraction from the present.
War Intrudes on the Performance
The production faced real-world challenges, with the war intruding even before the curtain rose. Audience members were warned about air raids and potential blackouts, with instructions to head to the basement shelter if necessary. During the performance, the power did go out, prompting Semioshkina and others to take the stage with flashlights, creating an improvised spotlight for Babenko's monologue.
Despite these disruptions, the show continued, with the audience responding with a standing ovation. The use of prosthetic limbs and metal rods as props added a visual language to the play, symbolizing both artistic expression and practical support for actors with amputations.
A Message of Resilience and Hope
Semioshkina hopes the production sends a powerful message to veterans across Ukraine. "I would like to send a message to all veterans who are sitting at home: Come out," she urged. "You can do something. Live. Don't close yourself off. Live every single minute."
This adaptation of "Eneida" not only revives a classic of Ukrainian literature but also serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of those affected by the conflict, blending ancient epic poetry with modern-day courage and recovery.
