Art therapy residency program for refugees held in France in partnership with Theatre na Zhukah

26–29 August. Art therapy residency for Ukrainian refugees in Salvetat-sur-Agoût, a town in the south of France. Theatre na Zhukah has lent its hand to the organizers.

The purpose of the residency program is to provide psychological assistance to children and their mothers.

The program was initiated by “Teplo”, a French-Ukrainian association with which the Treatre has a partnership agreement and provided organisational assistance in conducting of the event (concept development, composition of participants, coordination of activities, etc.).

Vast majority of Ukrainians in France is suffering from the traumatic experience of the war but the language barrier prevents them from obtaining any psychological assistance. The idea of a several days’ long residency was to create conditions for psychological strengthening of Ukrainians through the art therapy.

Ukrainian psychologists (art therapists) with an extensive experience in healing the psychological traumas were involved in the work of the residency on a volunteer basis. The emotional healing proceeded with the help of paint and plasticine, music and rhythm, group theatrical exercises, etc. Art therapy practices were complemented by unusual locations and a cultural program.

The residency program was concluded by an international scientific and practical conference “Practical issues of psychosocial support of the refugee families in order to overcome the migration crisis”, which promoted the exchange of professional experience and the collation of new ideas in how to help the refugees.

The residency program was supported by Hérault, Communauté de communes du Minervois au Caroux, Association des Maires de l’Hérault, Groupe Danone, the United Help Ukraine Fund, Banque Crédit Agricole, and the crowdfunding donations.