Integrating foreigners into host societies is often seen as a challenge, requiring cooperation from both foreigners and locals. Roleplaying and theater are tools LWF uses in many countries to foster social cohesion and integrate displaced populations with their host communities.
For refugees and migrants in the Czech Republic, the initiative also helps improve language skills. “The performance gave me the confidence to pursue theater,” says Sultanna Khairetdinova, a student from Kazakhstan. “I improved my Czech, was inspired by the audience, and want to keep growing!”
Marie Dos Santos, a musician and songwriter from the Czech Republic, reflects, “I joined to reconnect with theater and explore how our differences enrich us. It restored my artistic confidence, and it was wonderful to share the stage with my husband, who is from Brazil. I’m aware of the cultural stereotypes he faces.”
New perspectives
“Our story allowed the collision of different worlds. We all face problems and deal with them differently. We brought together several stories about what is most important in life: love and friendship, fear, aging, and how difficult it is to make the right choices,” says Violetta Eterová, who leads the theater. She is a director originally from Belarus who has lived in the Czech Republic for 27 years. In 2019 she established the theater, focusing on productions with amateur actors.
“Theater is like a mini model of society—through it, foreigners learn how to navigate life here and overcome their fear of speaking Czech. For Czechs, it’s an opportunity to confront and lose prejudices about foreigners,” adds Eterová.