Jednodňový hrdina UA
The Mykola Kulish Kherson Regional Academic Music and Drama Theatre of Ukraine returns to the Pohoda Festival after previous appearances. At the 30th edition, it will present two evocative monodramas created in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, bringing deeply personal testimonies of war, loss, and resilience. At Pohoda 2026, the company will stage The Bird in the Attic and One-Day Hero.
The Kherson ensemble continues to create and perform directly in their home city, which was occupied and still lives under the threat of shelling. Their productions rank among the most authentic artistic testimonies of contemporary Ukrainian experience, and serve as powerful reminders of the individual human stories behind the news headlines.
One-Day Hero
The monodrama One-Day Hero (80 min.) is based on the true story of a Kherson veteran who, after the beginning of the occupation, left the city and joined the ranks of the Ukrainian army. After being wounded at the front, he appears on stage to recount his life story — while also preparing to perform as an entertainer at a children’s party.
Before the audience’s eyes, his military uniform gradually transforms into a clown’s costume, and with it the atmosphere of the performance shifts — from raw wartime experience to irony, gentle humor, and moving interaction with the audience. This powerful personal testimony about war, memory, and returning to civilian life becomes a fragile celebration of humanity and the ability to retain empathy even after trauma.
Author and performer: Volodymyr Tuka
Director: Serhii Pavliuk
“For me, the Kherson Theatre is proof of the boundless strength of art anad the importance of culture. Despite the city being under constant shelling, with streets covered by anti-drone nets and a terrifying daily hunt for people that the world has called a ‘human safari,’ performances still take place here every weekend, and workshops for children continue. The theatre has become an oasis of life, a centre of resilience, and a testament to how artists refuse to give up even in truly difficult times. I am proud that these extraordinary and inspiring people will also come to Pohoda,” says Michal Kaščák of the Pohoda Festival.
