“The playwrights we support are writing a narrative for a new Ukraine”

Nina Röhlcke is the project manager for New Voices from Ukraine. She explains that Kulturhuset Stadsteatern, shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion, felt an urgent need to support their Ukrainian colleagues. The result was the project New Voices from Ukraine, which, by inviting Ukrainian playwrights to residencies in Sweden, creates safe working conditions and enables the translation and staging of their plays on Swedish and international stages.

“The writers are offered temporary peace of mind by being able to take a break from the everyday reality of war in Ukraine. They stay at Rikstolvan in Skåne – a large estate in Simrishamn that hosts art exhibitions, festivals, and artist residencies. During their time in Sweden, we at Kulturhuset Stadsteatern organise networking events in Stockholm, called Ukraine Artistic Meetings, where actors perform readings from the participants plays, and Ukrainian and Swedish artists present their work alongside social gatherings with DJs. We also arrange meetings where the participants can meet Swedish dramaturges and learn how to apply for EU funding for their work. The project began at the turn of the year and follows a similar EU project, which together have resulted in six residencies, the translation of seven short plays and two to three full-length plays, as well as five Ukraine Artistic Meetings at Kulturhuset Stadsteatern.”

Cooperation with Contemporary Ukrainian Theatre

It was no coincidence that the Theatre of Playwrights became the project’s Ukrainian partner, as they are an independent group advocating for a modern, Western-oriented theatre scene – unlike many other, older theaters in Ukraine that sometimes tend to be stuck in old structures from the Soviet era..

“The Theatre of Playwrights is a contemporary and modern theatre which, by giving voice to different groups, paints a picture of a present-day society where audiences can recognise themselves in the stories.
Culture plays an enormously important role now that people’s sense of security is under threat.
They are a large network of playwrights who have united around a manifesto to write a new narrative about what Ukraine is and should be, how they want to live, and their relationship with history.

Looking to the future, this also means we have a common platform for exchanges, where, for example, we could tour and stage plays in Ukraine.”

Huge interest from the actors

Nina Röhlcke reports that interest from the actors at Stadsteatern has been overwhelming.

“We have had at least 15 actors who wanted to perform readings from the plays, even though we technically only needed three.The experience of seeing the texts come alive through the actors, while the playwrights themselves are present with words drawn directly from today’s reality, is incredibly powerful and moving.”

Cooperation with Ports of Stockholm

Kulturhuset Stadsteatern quickly reached out to other organisations that had received SI funding in the 2024 call for proposals to exchange experiences.

“We connected with Ports of Stockholm, who are running a completely different type of project, but we found common ground in the fact that we are both building relationships with Ukraine for the future and supporting their EU integration process.”

Challenges

Kulturhuset Stadsteatern has no prior experience of working with partners in a war zone, and Nina Röhlcke explains that flexibility has been absolutely crucial in this project given the current situation.
It is not easy for the Ukrainian participants to travel, and several have been internally displaced within Ukraine.
Previously, it was possible for male playwrights to receive exemptions so they could participate in the residency programme, but given the current circumstances, this is becoming increasingly difficult.
Nevertheless, Nina Röhlcke remains optimistic about the project’s future.

“We are seeing a growing  interest in the residencies, many plays are being written, and our translators are busy. We are also reaching out to more people through our Ukraine Artistic Meetings, and many Ukrainians in exile are finding their way to us. We believe we have found a model that can continue as long as the war goes on – and even after the war ends, when continued support from friends and colleagues around the world will still be essential. We want to be there for them.”