A puppet therapy workshop entitled "A pair is the art of being together" was held at the Oplich HUB.
The Oplich Hub in Zaporizhzhia is a space where residents can receive free psychological support, recover emotionally and distract themselves from stress. It offers individual consultations, group therapy, yoga, fitness, and neuro-gymnastics classes, as well as various creative workshops.
On the eve of Valentine's Day, the hub hosted a puppet therapy session focused on creating a traditional fabric motanka doll entitled "A pair is the art of being together".
Participants created a symbolic couple – a Cossack and a Cossack woman. According to psychologist and art therapist at Oplich HUB, Olha Manzhura, such work helps not only to relax but also to reflect on harmony in relationships.
"Many people are interested in how to build the kind of calm that allows harmonious relationships to develop. At today's workshop, we are creating a symbol – two figurines, a man and a woman. They can exist separately or together. There is time for self-realisation in society and time for family. It is important to build this balance," explained Olha MANZHURA.
One of the workshop participants was Alla Anokhina. She first came to the Oplich HUB last year and has attended sessions periodically ever since. She says that in such an atmosphere it is easier to cope with anxiety.
"Everything is forgotten. When you are here at the workshop, especially under such guidance, where people treat us with such humanity and sensitivity, you feel as if you are being reborn," said Alla.
While creating the motanka dolls, participants selected fabrics and colours, assigning them personal meaning. Alla chose shades of blue – for her, they symbolise calm, hope and balance.
"This co-creation is like an opportunity to create something positive and thereby return to the state of here and now, to regain control. It means: I choose this fabric, I wrap it with this thread, I choose this headscarf," said the psychologist.
It is also important who the motanka doll is intended for. Alla admits that she has not yet decided:
"I would like either to give it to my niece and her husband, so that everything goes well for them, or to keep it for myself as hope. At present, I am on my own, but I hope that I will be fortunate and that my own 'Cossack' will be found."
At the end, Alla thanked the organisers:
"I thank the Oplich Hub for the opportunity for people like me, and many others who are currently under stress and feeling unsettled, to experience joy here."
As a reminder, Oplich HUB was created by the UN Global Compact in Ukraine with support from the humanitarian initiative of Metinvest Group "Saving lives" and Zaporizhstal.
All activities are free of charge and conducted with strict confidentiality. The space operates from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 to 18:00.
The schedule of events is available on the official social media accounts of "Oplich Hub Zaporizhzhia".
