Mothers’ choir is a brutal indictment

In a powerful display of artistic protest, the Polish production "Mothers – a song for wartime," directed by Marta Górnicka, has taken center stage at Riksteatern's "React" festival. This compelling work, featuring a chorus of 21 women aged 12 to 72 from Belarus, Poland, and Ukraine, serves as a visceral testament to the collective memory of wartime violence against women.

Described as a "brutal indictment," the performance directly confronts a global community that allows the solemn vow of "never again" to become a hollow slogan devoid of meaningful action. The stark projection of Ukrainian poet Serhiy Zhadan's words, "Today we need words that save lives," sets a somber yet urgent tone, emphasizing the critical role of art in bearing witness and demanding accountability.

This co-production, which premiered in Warsaw and has been shown in Berlin, resonates deeply within the context of ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe. The "React" festival's mission to inspire audience engagement and action is powerfully embodied by Górnicka's work, which forces a confrontation with uncomfortable truths and urges a more active response to the enduring suffering caused by war. The performance is not merely a depiction of past atrocities but a living, breathing accusation against present inaction.

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Today we need words that save lives.