Ukraine: in Zaporijjia, the theater is mobilizing for the war effort far from the front
Audio 01:08
Evguenia Selichcheva sews sleeping bags and bulletproof vests for the military in Zaporijjia, April 7, 2022. © Anastasia Becchio/RFI
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
If the sirens punctuate the life of the inhabitants of Zaporijjia, located 250 km west of Mariupol, is for the moment relatively spared from the fighting.
But the city participates fully in the war effort.
Every day it welcomes a few thousand people who have been able to flee from Mariupol and the territories occupied by the Russian army where fighting is taking place.
A good part of the population is mobilized.
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With our special correspondents in Zaporijjia,
Anastasia Becchio and Boris Vichith
In the radio set in the costume designers' workshop, news about the war replaced the music.
After February 24 and the start of the Russian invasion, Yevgenia Selichcheva began a new career.
She now sews sleeping bags and bulletproof vests for the military: “
As you can see on the dummy, we made pockets for ammunition.
I don't know military terms very well, I've never been interested in them, I'm more used to sewing theater costumes.
Inside we have a pocket to put a plate in, which should protect our guys.
»
The pattern of a bullet-proof vest used by costume designers at the Zaporijjia theater in Ukraine, April 7, 2022. © Anastasia Becchio/RFI
Participate in the effort even at the back
In the event of war, the contracts of the Ukrainian theaters provide that they participate in the war effort.
Alexandre Fortous, actor and director, does not spare his efforts to find resistant fabric and supply the army: "
Every day, I carry things in my trunk that I did not even suspect existed
, there are another month, like tactical goggles, rangers,
etc.
»
Like all men between the ages of 18 and 60, Alexandre may be called upon to go into battle but, without military experience, he considers himself more useful today in the rear.
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