A Space of Creativity, Art Therapy and Psychological Relief «Dobroteka ART»
Supporting displaced people, military families and those whose lives have been turned upside down by war – offering a space for healing and artistic expression.
The Local Challenge
Buchach Town Public Library in the south-west of Ukraine faces the challenge of supporting local readers, displaced people, servicemen and vulnerable groups amid the ongoing crisis prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since 2022, the community has experienced heightened stress, fear and anxiety as a result of the war. Together with the non-governmental organisation Buchach ART, the library has been providing psychological counselling and art therapy to help manage mental health issues, particularly for internally displaced people, military families and families of soldiers who have died during the conflict.
The Initiative
Teaming up with NGO Buchach-Art, the town library is setting up a mobile space for creativity, art therapy and psychological relief. This initiative is helping displaced people, military families and families of fallen soldiers through a series of 36 art workshops and therapy sessions over nine months. Activities include painting, children’s art projects, pysanka – a Ukrainian Easter egg, decorated using beeswax and dyes – as well as rag doll making, and group therapy. An English translator is helping to facilitate communications between the displaced people and the project will conclude with an exhibition that showcases the participants’ creativity and new-found talents – helping them on the path to healing.
What’s Next?
As a result of the initiative, internally displaced people, servicemen and their families, and families of fallen soldiers in Buchach will benefit from emotional recharging through psycho-social training and art workshops. The sessions will provide strategies for managing emotions, finding stability and adapting to new life conditions. Art therapy will help with psychological rehabilitation, offering creative outlets as well as emotional support. The library-NGO collaboration can also be scaled to other European regions facing similar challenges, enhancing the role of libraries in community support.
Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.
