Nobody Will Believe You
The Local Challenge
Domestic violence and societal silence surrounding it is a pervasive challenge in Daugavpils, Latvia, with one in four women experiencing violence and high rates of psychological abuse. The urgency lies in breaking the silence and providing a platform for survivors to speak out, as well as raising awareness among the broader community. Nobody Will Believe You aims to raise awareness, empower survivors, and foster community dialogue to break the silence surrounding abuse.
The Initiative
Bringing together their shared commitment to social justice, these organisations are launching a multidisciplinary initiative. Through a combination of visual art, performance, literature, and interactive workshops, the project seeks to give voice to survivors and challenge societal silence. The programme includes an exhibition of symbolic objects, a performance developed by local artists, a storytelling workshop led by authors, and a forum theatre event.
What’s Next?
Nobody Will Believe You aims to create lasting impact in Daugavpils through ongoing community involvement, as well as the active participation of local women, activists, and residents. Building on a collaboration with Lietisko Pierādījumu Muzejs, the Latgale Central Library will host The Museum of Material Evidence, an exhibition of objects that bear witness to domestic violence and the often-invisible struggles of survivors. The performance Who is Safe When You’re Silent will use storytelling and object interaction to explore the consequences of silence; workshops will offer tools for emotional resilience and self-expression; and a forum theatre session, Silence is Not Accurate, will invite the public to engage with the broader social dynamics of abuse. Together, these activities will transform the Latgale Central Library into a centre for reflection, education, and community-led change.
Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.
