This week, we proudly mark the completion of a remarkable project: the podcast series A Dictionary of Ukrainian Emotions. Developed by Ukrayinska Pravda in collaboration with American and Ukrainian contributors, the podcast brings to life nine English-language plays from A Dictionary of Emotions in a Time of War: 20 Short Works by Ukrainian Playwrights (edited by John Freedman). Each episode features a captivating blend of drama and dialogue, enriched by interviews with the playwrights and actors who brought these works to life.
Behind the Scenes: A Collective Effort
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John Freedman led the preparation and production of the English-language podcasts. His engaging conversations with the authors and actors provide invaluable insight into the creative process and the stories behind each play.
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Nina Kamberos, the driving force behind publishing the collection of plays, also played a key role in recruiting and coordinating talented actors to read and record the texts.
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Dmytro Volkovynskyi and Fedir Popadiuk ensured the highest level of professionalism in podcast production for Ukrayinska Pravda, delivering an excellent final product.
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The Ukrainian drama showcase team, including Dmytro Ternovyi, Valentyna Tujina, Iryna Harets, and Anna Halas, provided crucial support in translating and showcasing contemporary Ukrainian drama to a global audience.
The Podcast Episodes
Each episode features a play performed by a talented actor, offering a poignant exploration of the human experience during times of conflict. The episodes include:
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How to Talk to the Dead by Anastasiia Kosodii (translated by John Freedman and Natalia Bratus), performed by Alessandra Torresani.
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I Want to Go Home by Oksana Savchenko (translated by John Freedman and Natalia Bratus), performed by Kristin Milward.
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The Peed-Up Armoured Personnel Carrier by Oksana Grytsenko (translated by John Freedman and Natalia Bratus), performed by Wayne Maugans.
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Call Things by Their Names by Tetiana Kytsenko (translated by John Freedman and Natalia Bratus), performed by Joe Spano.
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Survivor's Syndrome by Andrii Bondarenko (translated by John Freedman and Natalia Bratus), performed by Kevin McMonagle.
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Planting an Apple Tree by Iryna Harets (translated by John Freedman and Natalia Bratus), performed by Kathleen Chalfant.
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Flowering by Olha Maciupa (translated by John Farndon), performed by Jessica Hecht.
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My Tara by Lyudmyla Tymoshenko (translated by John Freedman and Natalia Bratus), performed by Sharon Washington.
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Three Attempts to Improve Daily Life by Maksym Kurochkin (translated by John Freedman and Natalia Bratus), performed by Kushtrim Hoxha.
Where to Listen
All episodes are available on multiple platforms:
https://open.spotify.com/show/223YW0x7OIePLPKGyE6Fxd
https://podcasts.apple.com/.../a-dictionary.../id1770469195
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/podcasts/66f2bbd028ce4/
Discover More
Learn about the project participants and stay updated on contemporary Ukrainian drama:
We invite everyone who values contemporary drama to explore this unique project, which serves as a testament to the power of storytelling in bridging cultures and shedding light on the resilience of the human spirit.