On September 29, a special theatrical performance “Azovstal. Voices” was held, marking 500 days since the Mariupol defenders were taken captive by Russian forces after leaving the Azovstal plant. The event was organized by the “Holosy” Theater and the “Hearts of Azovstal” NGO, with the support of the Association of Families of Azovstal Defenders.
Among the audience were soldiers and defenders of Mariupol who had returned from captivity, as well as the relatives of servicemen still held in captivity. Directed by Valeria Demchenko, the performance brought together the monologues of eight heroes, each based on the stories of those who defended Mariupol and were later exchanged from captivity, as well as their relatives. The monologues were written by Ukrainian playwright and film director Khachatur Vasilyan, a native of Mariupol, whose family also endured the horrors of Russian occupation.
“The monologues were written by Khachatur Vasilyan, a Ukrainian playwright and film director. Khachatur is from Mariupol, and in 2022, his mother and brother survived the brutal Russian occupation, escaping at great personal cost. At our performances, we often have soldiers who survived captivity, many displaced persons, and they all thank us for sharing their pain and carrying it to the world. Our project will continue until the last Ukrainian prisoner returns home,” shared Olga Sobko, the project’s producer and actress.
According to the co-organizers, the “Hearts of Azovstal” NGO, the performance is another tool to share the heroic story of Mariupol’s defenders with the world and remind people that many are still in Russian captivity.
“Our goal is to make sure the world doesn’t forget that over 1,500 defenders of Mariupol have been in enemy captivity for 500 days. We emphasize the urgent need to bring every hero home. Projects like ‘Azovstal. Voices’ offer a powerful way to remind both our citizens and the international community of the heroism of the defenders of Mariupol, who fought for 86 days to protect the city. We have united our efforts to make this story heard worldwide. Theater is a medium that not only tells the story but also touches people’s hearts,” said Kseniya Sukhova, head of “Hearts of Azovstal”, which provides comprehensive support to Mariupol’s defenders.
Marina Sobotyuk, the creator and one of the initiators of the “Azovstal. Voices” project, shared her thoughts with the press: “Azovstal Voices inspires Ukrainians to unite and triumph, as they did at the beginning of the war. It evokes pride and admiration among Ukrainians abroad. This project is a reminder of the most important things today — that freedom and love are inseparable. This is the kind of content that should fill our media space today and go global.”
Valeria Demchenko, the director of the performance, highlighted the emotional depth of the production: “In dark times, we need bright performances. In our show, hundreds of voices — defenders, civilians sheltered in the steel bunkers of Azovstal, doctors, and pilots who broke through into the heart of darkness — come together with one mission: to tell the world the truth about 86 days of defense at Azovstal. Most importantly, we must ensure no one forgets about the Ukrainian prisoners who have been waiting 500 days to return home. We will keep speaking until the last Ukrainian prisoner is back home.”
The performance “Azovstal. Voices” continues to resonate deeply, carrying the story of Mariupol’s defenders to new audiences while advocating for the release of those still held in captivity.
