Since February 2022, over 10,000 Ukrainians have been killed in the war against Russia who invaded the country after Ukraine began seeking NATO membership.
Since that time, over 210,000 Ukrainians have immigrated to Canada to escape the conflict.
Now, in Victoria, a woman who managed to get away from the war has opted to tell her story on the stage in the form of a play.
A Dictionary of Emotions in Wartime was written by the playwright Olena Astasieva, who details the true experience of a woman from Kherson, Ukraine.
“The story begins February 24, 2022. Russia invades the city of Kherson, in southeastern Ukraine,” reads the play’s description.
“Olena and her adult nephew Matvei, like many other people in Ukraine, have to decide how to survive the war.”
The play follows the main character, Olena, who undergoes a months-long journey to learn about herself, her friends and her family members, as they all struggle to come to terms with their new wartime reality.
The show is being put on with the help of Help Ukraine Vancouver Island Society who have taken in and provided support for hundreds of Ukrainian refugees on the island.
A Dictionary of Emotions in Wartime is being put on at Victoria’s own Langham Court Theatre with all proceeds going to Help Ukraine Vancouver Island Society so they can continue their work feeding and finding housing for any and all Ukrainian refugees coming to the island.
The 90 minute play premieres on Thursday, January 18th and will run for three days until Saturday, January 21st.
A Dictionary of Emotions in Wartime
- Where: Langham Court Theatre, 805 Langham Court
- When: January 18th to 20th at 7:30 p.m. and January 21st, at 2 p.m.
- Admission: Tickets are $19 to $26, available online
