When modern-day icons and youth role models take the lead, great things happen—sparking fresh waves in education and culture.
It turns out theatre and media literacy have more in common than you’d think. Both teach us a vital skill: not to swallow information blindly, but to question, analyze, and seek meaning.
That was the heart of A Conversation Without Masks—a brilliant performance and discussion with Bohdan Beniuk. A truly one-of-a-kind event about conscious consumption—of information, culture, and emotion. It explored how theatre and critical thinking can help us stay connected to ourselves instead of drowning in a flood of external noise.
Ukraine is experiencing a true theatrical renaissance: full houses, sold-out shows, and a growing desire to experience theatre not just as entertainment but as a personal need. In these challenging times, when information bombards us from all directions, art isn’t an escape—it’s a way to regain clarity of thought.
Why are more and more young people turning to the stage instead of the news feed? What does theatre offer us today? This was explored and demonstrated by Bohdan Beniuk—an actor who has been on stage for nearly 50 years and has a deep sensitivity to shifts in society. “Theatre activates deep mental processes. It can make a person ask themselves questions, including uncomfortable ones. And there’s so much joy in feeling new thoughts emerge—thoughts born not from pressure, but from art itself. Isn’t that beautiful?” — he emphasized.
To close this powerful evening, he offered one more crucial insight on information hygiene: “There’s no shortage of disinformation and manipulation. I’ve made a decision for myself: limit what I consume. You can’t possibly read all the news in the world. Choose what matters, read it, reflect, and then turn off your phone. Limit what you allow into your headspace.” Because media and information literacy isn’t just about facts—it’s about thinking, choosing, and protecting your attention.
A heartfelt thank-you to Bohdan Beniuk, People’s Artist of Ukraine, and to all our partners for making this powerful idea a reality!
The project is designed and implemented by the Souspilnist Foundations in cooperation with UNESCO Ukraine and with the support of 在ウクライナ日本国大使館 / Embassy of Japan in Ukraine. The project is part of UNESCO’s broader efforts to support the safety of journalists and freedom of speech in Ukraine.
