Episode 79: Ukrainian-Australian writer Maria Tumarkin discusses “When Women Speak of War: Artists reckon With Wars Declared and Hidden”, a multi-disciplinary event

“When women speak of war they say nothing or almost nothing of what we are used to reading and hearing about”.

These words, by Nobel-Prize-winning writer Svetlana Alexievich inspired acclaimed writer and cultural historian Maria Tumarkin to create an extraordinary multi-disciplinary event called “When Women Speak of War: Artists reckon With Wars Declared and Hidden”, which will have its world premiere on Thursday 28 April at the National Theatre in Melbourne. The performance will feature Ukrainian-born writers, musicians and performers alongside a diverse line-up of brilliant artists.

The aim, Maria says, is “To stir up, honour, cliché-bust and transport.” Conceived before the war in Ukraine as part of the Festival of Jewish Art and Music (FOJAM) to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day, the performance takes on particular resonance in light of the war in Maria’s beloved homeland. Part of the proceeds of ticket sales will go to the Ukrainian Humanitarian Relief Fund.

There are still ticket available, or you can sign up to watch online – here is the link https://www.fojam.com/

Also listen to this episode on:

This project is supported by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund