By Inna, Hanna, and Li-Ching Lin
A Night of Cultural Celebration
The Tzu Chi Warsaw office transformed into a vibrant cultural hub on December 20, 2024, as fifteen Ukrainian seniors took to the stage to perform the classic play "Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka." The Christmas and New Year blessing event brought together approximately 230 guests, including Ukrainian refugee families, representatives from the Polish Women's Foundation, and the Warsaw Family Assistance Center.
The Healing Power of Theater
Under the guidance of Tzu Chi Warsaw psychological counselor Inna Telishevska, the seniors began their theatrical journey in September. "When designing the course, we thought about choosing a performance that would suit each participant. Gradually, everyone felt the lively atmosphere and became familiar with each other," Inna explained.
The rehearsal process, spanning three months with two to three sessions per week, became a therapeutic experience for the participants. Inna carefully explained each character's traits, helping those new to acting develop their roles while gaining positive emotions and a sense of affirmation. The seniors also learned Hutsul dances and Christmas songs as part of their preparation.
The production came together through global collaboration, with costumes and props sourced from Ukraine, international websites, and local volunteers. Some items were handmade, while others came from familiar families. As Inna noted with a smile, "The whole world contributed to these costumes and props."
A Night of Musical Heritage
The evening opened with a solo performance by Iryna Shostak, a professional singer and long-time Tzu Chi volunteer, whose angelic voice set the tone for the night. Following her performance, the Ukrainian musical group "Vyshyvanka," dressed in traditional Ukrainian attire, performed New Year songs in both Ukrainian and Polish, accompanied by five senior volunteers. The familiar melodies moved many audience members to tears, some crying with joy at hearing these beloved songs in peaceful surroundings.
Stories of Resilience
Among the performers was Nadia, who played the role of playwright Gogol while battling lung cancer. "The role gave me strength to fight cancer, giving me life and health," she shared. Despite her health challenges, she maintained perfect attendance at rehearsals and delivered a powerful performance that earned enthusiastic applause.
The audience's response was overwhelmingly positive. Olena Demchenko praised the performers: "The performance was deeply inspiring. They were just like professional actors." Anatoliy Nikonyuk shared his joy: "I haven't laughed this hard in a long time. It was incredible. Soroka's character was amazing, and her dance made me feel like I was in Ukraine."
A Community United
As the event concluded, volunteers presented the seniors with framed photos to commemorate their achievement. The celebration served as a powerful reminder of community strength and unity within the Tzu Chi family. As they looked toward 2025, the volunteers renewed their commitment to supporting each other and fostering a year filled with warmth and love.
