Artivism, a dynamic blend of art and activism, is a potent means of giving a powerful voice to social and political issues. In a world fraught with adversity and conflicts, preserving culture and the arts is a vital pursuit. The documentary theatre “Neighbours Project” by the non-profit cultural foundation Floating EKA, is a remarkable artistic research endeavor, that explores the multifaceted nature of neighbourhood relations at times of war.
The artistic research project, Sąsiedzi.Сусіди.Суседзі.Соседи, commenced after February 24, 2022, a time when the world witnessed the transformation of neighboring into a catastrophe. Throughout the project’s duration, theater directors, playwrights, sociologists, and anthropologists from diverse backgrounds joined forces to explore a series of profound questions such as “What can we learn about each other and ourselves in unbearable conditions? What choices do we make every day? What can we consider our home and our homeland?”
The culmination of this collaborative effort resulted in the creation of four documentary plays that were presented to the public between February and April 2023. At the heart of each play lies a real-life case, real experiences, and real people. The voices represented in these plays don’t belong to “exceptional” heroes, but to those whose voices often go unheard. They include volunteer soldiers from various countries who bravely fought for Ukraine, women from the Belarusian resistance, and forced migrants who find themselves sharing the same house, yet remaining anonymous to many of the “permanent” residents in that house.
Within the narratives of these plays lies a profound exploration of identity crises, a complex blend of fear for the future juxtaposed with hope, all intertwined with a simultaneous sense of intolerance towards those perceived as “others.” The project takes an introspective look at the present while delving into various historical periods of the tumultuous 20th century, including more recent events, where the roots of today’s problems may be hidden.
These works draw heavily from personal experiences—experiences of surviving bombings, participating in underground protests, enduring forced displacement, grappling with loneliness, and even betrayal. By weaving these personal stories into the fabric of their plays, Floating EKA‘s teams have managed to capture the essence of the human experience in times of war and adversity.
Theatre, as a unique medium of expression, provides a safe space for individuals and communities to process emotional experiences. Much like a natural reserve protects and nurtures diverse ecosystems, cultural reserves, such as the Neighbours Project, offer a sanctuary for artists to explore and articulate the complexities of the human condition. These cultural reserves serve as vital habitats for artistic expression, preserving our shared heritage and fostering empathy and understanding.
Neighbours Project is a testament to the enduring power of artivism and the importance of nurturing open spaces for cultural expression and offer solace, reflection, and connection in a world often characterized by chaos and discord. It reminds us that culture and art are not luxuries but essential aspects of our shared human experience, uniting us in our quest for understanding and compassion.