Ukraine Hosts Shakespeare Festival Amid War, Prisoner Rally

Shakespeare festivals and performances continue to thrive globally in 2025, highlighting both cultural celebration and poignant contemporary relevance. In Portland, the Portland Actors Ensemble revived its free Shakespeare in the park shows with a production of "Twelfth Night," emphasizing the community's enduring connection to Shakespearean theater. BrooklynONE productions announced auditions for the Brooklyn Renaissance Festival, part of the Brooklyn Shakespeare Festival, featuring immersive medieval-themed performances and workshops celebrating Shakespeare's storytelling. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Shakespeare Festival in Ivano-Frankivsk combined art and activism, opening with a rally for Ukrainian prisoners of war before staging a powerful production of "Romeo and Juliet" in unconventional settings, underscoring the juxtaposition of war and art. Festival organizers in Ukraine stressed that in times of conflict, theater serves as a vital ritual for communal support rather than mere entertainment. These diverse events illustrate Shakespeare's lasting impact and the adaptability of his works to address both historical and current human experiences.