Theater under Russian bombs in kyiv

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"After two weeks, we understood that what we can do is art."

Ukrainian theater director

decided to stage a one- off

performance in a Kiev basement as an act of resistance amid

Russian army

A dozen people made up the audience that attended something extraordinary: a theatrical production in a city that was fleeing from death.

In the basement, two face-to-face actors, another who is connected via telematics and a PAN member recreated the show on the 27th, during one of the multiple Russian offensives that have tried, without success, to take the country's capital.

Shelepko comments visibly moved that the war has given

.

Despite the adversity facing Ukraine, the director lends a hand to some of those who try to resort to desperate measures to manage or escape the war.

"During the day we help by collecting money, carrying clothes and delivering food. Everyone has the right to live," she says.

Following this, the Ukrainian does not hide that she faced a

in the moments before the

The typical emotions that arouse in the minutes before a premiere were mixed with the anxiety and uncertainty caused by feeling firsthand the devastating effects of a

combat .

"During the performance we heard bombs. In the show I was in shock, it was a scene full of anxiety," she adds.

With her heart wrapped in the tension generated by staying in an area besieged by

the young Ukrainian director orchestrated the personification of

's delivery in which two characters decide the future of a man who is sitting in a chair with blindfolded.

The performance lasted 12 minutes.

However, the Russian siege transformed the basement where the work was made into a

that collected

in a subway while, in the streets, millions of citizens undertook their escape from Kiev.

The show could be seen in a bomb shelter and was inspired by

.

The scene reflects the harsh reality experienced by people who are not part of the "game" but who suffer deeply from it.

"I felt bad and good at the same time. It's a completely new feeling to live in a

," Shelepko explains to EL MUNDO.

Tanya Shelepko, director of The New World Order COURTESY T. SHELEPKO

The director, who has kept kyiv as her place of residence, has assured that despite the number of sensations that arose during the planning and execution of the work, the fact of continuing to make art from her city was fundamental.

Shepelenko indicates that a large-scale conflict can

the inhabitants of the countries involved and explains that "it was important" to keep the theater active.

Although it is difficult to guess what will happen in kyiv in the course of the month, Shelepko sees an alternative and hopes to present two performances on April 23.

The director affirms that despite the complex situation, she feels more "safe" to stay in the Ukrainian capital and that, thanks to the theater, "they can be the voice of art" and that they should celebrate life no matter what the circumstances.

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