Do theaters in Ukraine currently work?
In Kiev, yes. It can even be said that throughout Ukraine. Last year, at the beginning of the war, there was a period when the theaters were not functioning and I gave lectures on the computer to theater students.
By the way, rehearsals were also held at the theater at that time, although no performances were given. Everything started working again last summer.
Currently the only difference is that the shows and concerts start earlier: at six in the evening and also at four in the afternoon. The reason is the curfew. In Kiev the curfew lasts from midnight to five in the morning.
But what happens if there is an air disturbance?
In this case the show will be interrupted and the audience will be directed to a safer place. If the interruption is not long, we return to the theater and the show continues. Such a strange thing, but viewers embraced it. I don’t want to say I’m used to it.
Is there still enough audience?
Yes, people go, and they go a lot. Military personnel on leave are invited and can enter the theaters free of charge.
The National Philharmonic works. Large concert halls work. Of course there are fewer shows than before the war. There are few guest speakers, but there are still some. Those who dare will come. I dare to think that there is no particular setback or stagnation.
What are they showing in your theaters now?
It seems to me that there are few productions in the repertoire that are linked, that resonate with the war. Comedies are performed.
According to statistics, mostly women go to our theater: 70% of the audience. And their choice is comedy. It was like this before the war and probably even more so now. It is also somewhat understandable that at this moment there is no desire for discussions about the meaning of life, for revelations of the soul. Many Ukrainian classics, including modern authors, are staged.
“According to statistics, mostly women go to our theater: 70% of the audience. And their choice is comedy.”
Stanislav Moiseev
I understand from your story that theater schools also work.
YES. There is learning everywhere. In hotter places, such as Kharkiv, which is constantly bombed, students do distance learning. Very modern air-raid shelters are being built, and then there is distance learning.
How did you behave during the war?
When the war started I had health problems, I had difficulty walking. I went to my friends in Lithuania. I had directed at the Panevėžys Theatre. They invited you to drive here, our doctors will help you. That’s how it went.
Soon I was found by a patron, a very well-known politician and businessman. He said I should form a small troupe of Ukrainian actors, he claims. At first I refused because I couldn’t think or work, read or listen to music… Everything seemed superfluous to me, there was no internal constraint. I countered the offer by saying that I don’t know what or how to direct.
Since we started, we got together and made a documentary about the war. It was the only thing I could think about at that moment. Six actors are involved.
What kind of documentary was that?
We interviewed people in Ukraine and Lithuania. For example, the seller of a small shop in Lithuania told what he thinks about this ugly war. The interviews were with Mariupols who suffered and fled from there; with the soldiers who fought…
Marius Ivaškevičius helped us. I once staged his play “Masara” in Poland and we have been good friends ever since. Marius also gave an interview in which he said what he thought about this war and the Russians.
The show was called “Spiral of War”. At the time it seemed to me that it was the only topic that still mattered to the public. Perhaps. We played a lot all over Lithuania, in all the big cities and also in smaller halls.
Returning to the war and Kiev, sometimes, when I read and see how large and small politicians of the world visit Kiev, I think ironically about war tourism.
Ah, such feelings arise. Sometimes I feel strange even in Kiev… If there are no alarms, there are no particular signs of war there. Yes, there are still some anti-tank metal urchins on the roadsides. Sometimes they are even decorated. They are there just in case. And this is all. Leisure venues – restaurants, cafes, cinemas, clubs – all work.
“Sometimes I feel strange even in Kiev… If there are no alarms, there are no particular signs of war there.”
Stanislav Moiseev
Are many of your friends and students colleagues at the front?
No friends, they are mostly from my older generation like me, but students argue. Two of my dearest students. One of them, a girl, a director, has always been on the front line, she is a healthcare worker. The boy, an actor, also immediately started as a volunteer, working with drones. Many actors from my circle of acquaintances are at the front, while many of my acquaintances are dead.
Singers, rock bands and rock bands also go to war zones. Of course they are well kept and are an example for the entire nation.
Are you used to war?
I do not think so. It’s true, those with whom I communicate no longer have that optimism that is in the media, in propaganda. At the same time, this optimism about victory is important for us: it gives us hope and courage.
It is important for us too.
Obviously. What really happens? The truth lies somewhere in the middle. We certainly don’t have pessimism and panic. There is a perception that winning is difficult and takes time. Naturally we thought that this war would not last long. Nobody has this illusion anymore.
Furthermore, no one is afraid of Russia taking over Ukraine anymore. It’s impossible. The fears are different: they are afraid that everything will drag on. Which in turn has a negative effect on the economy and life of Ukraine as a whole. It is also clear that Ukraine lives thanks to the fact that the world helps us. And we are grateful for it.
It is not propaganda that the Ukrainian army is better prepared than the Russian one. There are more of them, but our army is smarter. And this is important. This is also demonstrated by the very large difference in human losses: the difference is ten times greater.
Being born in Israel and Gaza: how do you feel about that?
Seriously. The only problem is not that what happens there draws attention away from Ukraine. Personally, I think this is the beginning of world-shattering events. There is no longer a place where people can say with certainty that today is like this and tomorrow will be like this. We are all hostages of some negative processes. They affect each of us in Asia, Europe, the Middle East.
So there are some apocalyptic moods. I really hope everything ends well, but the risk of a global catastrophe is especially high right now. Of course, Russia initiated this process.
“Personally, I think this is the beginning of some extraordinary world events.”
Stanislav Moiseev
Is speaking Russian in Kiev subject to general condemnation?
In fact, the Russian language is not prohibited. Many military personnel also speak Russian. At the moment we have a big scandal with a philology professor in Ukraine. He stated very harshly that everyone must speak Ukrainian, including the military. This position has caused much controversy.
That the Russian language is forbidden to us is a Russian propaganda fable. I believe that if you come to Kiev, no one will say anything bad to you because you speak Russian. Of course there are idiots everywhere. But this is not an indicator.
What do you think about the cancellation of Tchaikovsky, Bulgkov, Pushkin… Russian classics in Ukraine?
You know, I understand why this is done in Ukraine. I understand very well. No one can forgive what the Russians have done and are doing. It is in the mind and before the eyes. Perhaps in the very distant future something will change again in this regard, but now everything related to Russia evokes contempt and anger, it is repugnant.
In my opinion any culture should not be abolished, it is not possible, because in any case culture works according to its own laws. But it is very important that Ukrainians survive this kind of attitude towards Russian culture. I don’t think it will stay like this forever.
“It seems to me that the main admirable characteristic of Ukrainians, which stands out over the past decade, is the desire to be independent and free.”
Stanislav Moiseev
As for the rest of the world, in Europe, everyone makes their own choice. Of course it is right for the world to stop all cooperation with those cultural figures who openly support Putin. Let them work there in Tambov.
At the same time, it is difficult to explain to civil society that there are also good Russians. There are those who have condemned Putin’s regime and the war and have fled Russia.
What is Ukrainian like?
This is a tough question. I am also critical of Ukraine in a positive sense. I think that if you love your country, your people, then you have to have a critical vision in order to improve.
It seems to me that the main admirable characteristic of Ukrainians that has emerged over the past decade is the desire to be independent and free. It is manhood that we have excelled at. Inner strength, ability to protect one’s life and ideals. These are the best features.
Of course, there are different manifestations on a daily level. We are too smart, we deceive ourselves and then we suffer. The Ukrainian knows how to laugh at himself and he does it on every occasion. We are a lively and open nation, we love guests.
Do you believe that love, culture, theater and beauty will save the world?
I guess I won’t write that “no”.
Of course, it’s not nice that this is the case, but it’s still necessary to write. After what the Russians did in Ukraine, people wonder: where is God? Where? They no longer believe. People think that God is not fair. That God doesn’t care what happens on this earth. Of course, we are not given to understand all the ways and actions of God.
I think that a person is not capable of saving anything with culture and love alone. If that were the case, then everything wouldn’t be like that, then everything would be fine.
But even if there is no hope, you have to work for that hope!
As a theater director and pedagogue, how do you think Estonian actors are different from actors in the rest of the world?
Of course Estonian actors are special. And this difference is not small. I think acting training is different too.
At the same time, I feel good working with these actors. I don’t know, maybe because I worked with Lithuanians. Obviously I’m joking here.
I imagine, of course, that actors all over the world are somewhat similar.
Yes. The profession leaves its imprints on a person. This track is difficult to describe, but you can hear it and see it. I worked with Hungarian, Polish, Chinese actors… Even the Chinese, who come from a completely different world and civilization, still have that something in common that actors of any nationality have.
Do you also work as a so-called theater pedagogue with our actors?
Obviously. In recent years I have started doing pedagogical work again, I would say cooperation in this regard. My teaching experience influences me. Actors like it because you pay more attention to them. You think more about what they do and how. Suggest more, notice skills. This way you know more precisely what you want from them, where you want to go.
They don’t oppose you, they don’t say what you are teaching us, are we smart ourselves?
I have to be smart. I don’t pretend to teach. I’m talking about what I see. Speaking of problems. I provide suggestions and lead towards the result. I try to do it in such a way that the actors feel that they have achieved this result. This is the main strategic trick.
Comment Read the comments
2023-12-02 05:07:00
ukrainian-director-stanislav-moiseyev-even-if-there-is-no-hope-we-must-work-for-hope