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The Ethnology Notebooks. 2026. № 1 (187), 129—137

UDK 792.028:004.896

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/

The date the article was first submitted to the publication 19.01.2026

the date the article was accepted for publication after review 4.02.2026

the date of publication (publication)

UKRAINIAN-POLISH THEATRICAL INITIATIVES DURING THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR (2022—2025)

SOVHYRA Tetiana

  • ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7023-5361
  • Doctor of Cultural Studies, Associate Professor, academic degree,
  • academic title,
  • Dean of the Faculty of Event Management, Fashion
  • and Show Business at the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts,
  • 36, Yevhena Konovaltsya Str., 01133, Kyiv, Ukraine,
  • Contacts: e-mail: STIsovgyra@gmail.com

Abstract. Problem statement. During the Russian-Ukrainian war, the migration of Ukrainians led to the formation of numerous associations and institutions aimed at promoting Ukrainian culture. In particular, Polish cultural institutions invited several hundred Ukrainian artists to collaborate. Therefore, the research focuses on cultural initiatives to organise the theatrical life of Ukrainians in Poland, assimilation trends and prospects for further cultural development, with an emphasis on the significant support of the Polish side (theatrical institutions, charitable organisations and individuals).

The purpose of the article is to analyse the current state of cultural partnership between the Republic of Poland and Ukraine.

The research methods. The research is based on general scientific methods — empirical, descriptive, structural-functional. The issue of cultural heritage preservation is examined through the prism of scientific discourse on international cooperation in the field of theatre arts. Since the source base consists of theatre texts and interviews with participants in theatre initiatives, photographs, advertising brochures and video recordings of Ukrainian performances, on the basis of which certain patterns in the trends of the development of current theatre practices in Poland are identified, methods characteristic of literary studies and cultural studies are used for the analytical interpretation of these processes. In particular, content analysis was conducted to identify a certain typology and compare ideological narratives.

Research results: Based on illustrative materials, brochures, periodicals, interviews, and conference materials, the dynamics of the development of the main thematic areas of theatrical practice and the proclamation of ideological narratives in Ukrainian performances implemented in Poland during the period of full-scale war have been revealed. The geography of the spread of performances with Ukrainian themes is identified as a manifestation of the phenomenon of Ukrainian-Polish cultural synthesis. Emphasis is placed on the paradigm shift in Ukrainian-Polish relations during the period of Russia’s full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. The main challenges related to the military situation are highlighted, and the prospects for further integration of interethnic relations in the context of the European educational space are identified.

Keywords: Ukraine, Republic of Poland, theatre practices, Ukrainian repertoire, war.

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