Azov Brigade and Ivan Franko Theatre adapt the Odyssey

Soldiers from the Ukrainian Azov Brigade have collaborated with the Ivan Franko Theatre to create a unique theatrical adaptation of Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ in Kyiv. The production uses the ancient epic to reflect the modern realities of the war in Ukraine, focusing on themes of the quest to return home.

The play incorporates elements of the current conflict, such as drones and radio communications, and sets the journey on the ancient Pontus Euxinus (Sea of Azov) near the occupied city of Mariupol. The production faced delays due to Russian drone attacks, which forced the cancellation of its initial premiere.

Through this adaptation, the soldiers' experiences—from their early involvement in 2014 to the siege of Mariupol in 2022—are framed through mythic archetypes, transforming the historical narrative of the Azov unit into a contemporary story of national resistance.