Just days prior to the anniversary of the war in Ukraine, the experiences of the inaugural theater workshop comprised of young Ukrainian refugees in Italy has been transformed into a book. The book, titled “Women in Selfie” (published by Edizioni All Around 2024), is authored by renowned director, artist, and writer, Vittorio Pavoncello. A launch event for the book will be held on the 20th of February in Rome, with the Women for Peace Association and the Representation in Italy of the European Parliament organizing the event. The Representation of the European Commission in Italy and the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital are the event’s sponsors.
The book narrates the positive journey undertaken within the “Upe4Inclusion” Project, an initiative by Donne for Peace in collaboration with Anas Lazio and Solco SRL. Twelve Ukrainian women, under the guidance of Pavoncello and coordination by Svitlana Pakalyuk, used the theater workshop as a platform to confront the traumatic war they had left behind. Through the universal language of art and theater, they found a means to communicate, face their fears, and embrace their new lives in Italy.
The book recounts their initial challenges with language and culture, their use of technology as a link between their past, present, and future, and their determination to survive and live. The chapters are interspersed with photographs from the workshop and the premiere of “Women in Selfie”, a theatrical performance that was staged at the Villa Torlonia Theater in Rome, in June 2023. The book also includes a poem, “Madre Terra”, by Elena Rossi, the 2023 Golden Capitoline Prize for poetry winner. In the performance, directed by Pavoncello, the women brought the verses to life, using poetry to amplify a collective plea for peace and humanity.
Antonio Parenti, Representative of the European Commission in Italy, shares that he witnessed the premiere of the show ‘Women In Selfie’ and found the women’s transformation of their pain into art and the strength to start anew, a testament to resilience and hope. Volha Marozava, president of Donne for Peace, also emphasizes the valuable lessons learned from the theater of inclusion, gestures, emotions, hope, and awareness.
Vittorio Pavoncello, the book’s author, notes the emphasis on giving voice to the consequences of war through theater and the voices of women. Donne For Peace continues to strive for a better future by uniting women of different cultures and religions to foster dialogue and co-construction.
Mariano Angelucci, Councilor of Rome Capital and Councilor of the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, lauds the young actresses for their ability to use theater to transform their fear and pain into strength, hope, and a call for peace.
