The Ukrainian film Shchedrik was successfully shown in Rome

A Ukrainian film was shown in Rome on September 23 Shchedrik directed by Olesya Morgunets-Isaenko. The event was organized with the support of the Embassy of Ukraine and Poland in the Holy See. The film, which received favorable reviews at the Spiritual Film Festival last year, has once again caught the attention of the audience.

The Seraphicum cinema hall brought together diplomats, representatives of the Vatican, the Ukrainian community of Rome and religious communities.

Particular attention at the event was drawn to the film’s producer, Artem Kolyubaev, who spoke words of gratitude for the support of the film and the Ukrainian people. Kolyubaev emphasized the importance of empathy for heroes and thanked Europe for its solidarity with Ukraine in this difficult time. He also mentioned Polish actor Tomasz Sobczak for his voluntary help in Ukraine.

The event was opened by the Rector of the Seraphicum – Franciscan Father Adam Monczka and the Ambassador of Poland to the Holy See Adam Kwiatkowski: “…85 years ago, Germany attacked Poland and started a war. A few days later, Poland was attacked from the east by the Soviet Union. It was the bloodiest and most tragic war in the history of the world. Today we will look at this war from the perspective of a city that was then located in eastern Poland, and after the war became part of the Soviet empire that paid the highest price in all wars – children I firmly believe that for everyone who values ​​common values ​​tonight will be a new inspiration for continuing to work for peace in the world Especially since Russia’s aggression today in Ukraine clearly shows that some The leaders of the world … does not want to understand this strongly condemning the attitude of Russia, whose victims, as 85 years ago, were children and civilians.

The screening was also attended by the Head of the Bishops’ Conference of Italy, the special envoy of Pope Francis for the return of deported children and prisoners of Ukraine, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the special envoy of Pope Francis , who shared his feelings from the film. , noted its deep drama and plea for peace: “This is a very dramatic film! This film helped me to better understand the roots of your disease. Suffering, suffering, creating more suffering and hatred! Yesterday I was at an international meeting in Paris called that “Imagine the World”. Imagine that means peace, because peace is not just the absence of war… And this film gave us the opportunity to think about this issue again – to imagine peace.”

Ambassador of Ukraine to the Holy See and the Sovereign Order of Malta Andrey Yurash, who responded to all present, said: “This event is a real investment in our common future, a future Europe, a future without violence. And certainly a future without wars, as we saw in the film Shchedrik and we are experiencing now in Ukraine, but the reason they were born is the same. Totalitarianism and hatred. We love each other, we love truth, we love justice and we love art. The art that tells about the height of the human spirit, and not about its fall, as always happens when someone starts a war.”

After the film, the audience had the opportunity to chat with the film’s actors and producers. In particular, Artem Kolyubaev thanked everyone for their attention Shchedrikfeelings of empathy for the heroes and the support that Ukraine continues to receive from Europe and the world, calling us to continue to be with Ukrainians during this war. He also deeply thanked the Polish actor Tomasz Sobczak, who was one of the first to offer help to his Ukrainian colleagues in the film, and then became a volunteer in support of Ukraine. The actress Yana Korolev, symbolically represented by a bouquet of marigolds grown on the Italian soil of the Ukrainian community, was struck by the tears of the audience, the understanding of the pain and tragedy of the history of the families of various different nationalities, and the incredible atmosphere that reigned during the show and after the show.

PS The Ukrainian Embassy to the Holy See together with the producer is discussing the possibility of dubbing Shchedryk in Italian, and is also discussing with colleagues in Poland another show before the end of this year.