Janinka Greenwood

2.60 Mishka and the Bad Bears: An Artist's Book to Raise Funds for Schools in Ukraine (Paper)

Janinka Greenwood - University of Canterbury, New Zealand; Arts for Ukraine

Abstract:

New Zealand is a long way from the war in Ukraine and we have not felt its impact the way you have in Europe. Nevertheless, we are connected - by our humanness and even by the oceans that lap our shores. When the theatre in Mariupol, with the big sign of children, was bombed, I knew I had to do ‘something’. A group of us started Arts for Ukraine and developed a series of events that over time raised over $30,000 for humanitarian purposes.

As a teacher of drama, I wanted to find a way to explain the war to children, and so Mishka’s story was born.

In my presentation I will share images from the book, discuss ways it might be used to stimulate drama, storytelling, visual art and simple discussion. I will also share a brief account of our work in Arts for Ukraine.

All income from Mishka goes directly to Ukraine for the re-building of children’s schools.

Mishka is being translated into Ukrainian, Norwegian and Māori. I would love to find a Czech translator.