"Home - Safe": Youth theatre tackles domestic violence
Domestic violence leaves invisible scars that linger deeper than any physical wound.
This poignant message was conveyed by a group of young people from Trușeni commune through their powerful performance, "Home - Safe," directed by Mihaela Strâmbeanu. Based on real-life stories collected and brought to light by the actress herself, the performance sheds light on the devastating impact of domestic violence on families.
"My role was to open young people's eyes, to show them the importance of speaking up and expressing their feelings," said student Vitalia Ogorodnic, reflecting on her participation.
"Our primary goal is to convey the message that violence is never the solution," emphasized student Mirela Gîrbu. "We need to communicate effectively to resolve family and societal issues."
The performance focused on the various forms of domestic violence, including abuse between parents and children, as well as violence between partners. Each actor on stage shared a deeply moving personal story, drawing the audience into the harsh realities of domestic abuse.
"Verbatim theater, a documentary form, is created from interviews with victims," explained actress Mihaela Strâmbeanu. "It's a living text, spoken, told, and experienced by those who have suffered domestic violence, including children and adults."
The choice to address domestic violence in this performance came directly from the young people at the Trușeni Youth Center. "85% of children surveyed chose domestic violence over bullying," revealed Olga Lupasco, director of the Center. "This made it clear to me that this is a real issue that needs to be addressed and brought to the attention of the community, as young people need support in dealing with it."
The "Home - Safe" performance aimed to raise public awareness and create a space for reflection and discussion about the pervasive issue of domestic violence that affects countless families.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
