🇪🇺 TEEN European Digital Community: Sakura Tree from Lviv, Ukraine

Sakura Tree

I am a curious and open-minded person interested in communication, personal development, and working with young people. I enjoy learning through experience, reflection, and intercultural exchange. I have experience teaching computer science to students during my school internship and volunteering in community and youth activities. I am especially interested in non-formal education, facilitation, and creating safe spaces where people feel comfortable to express themselves.

I also explore theatre, role-play, and AI tools as ways to support learning and connection between people. I like bringing people together – sometimes even over a simple cup of cacao and conversation – because meaningful dialogue and shared experience are important to me. I am always motivated to learn, share ideas, and grow together with others.

The soil / the need

When I first got closer to theatre, I was looking for a space where I could express myself more freely and step out of my comfort zone. I felt that I was missing confidence in expressing my emotions and thoughts openly, and I was curious about how theatre could help me develop this.

I was also searching for deeper connection – both with myself and with others. Theatre seemed like a place where people can be honest, creative, and vulnerable without judgment. It was not only curiosity, but also a need to grow, to explore different perspectives, and to better understand human emotions and communication.

The first seed

A parent / Family

Tell us about that first spark

Yes, I remember a moment when theatre started to feel important to me. It was during a group activity where we had to express ideas not by explaining them logically, but through emotions, movement, and role-play. I realized that people could understand each other on a deeper level without many words.

That experience made me feel more open and present. I noticed that theatre allows you to explore different perspectives, understand others better, and express things that are difficult to say directly. From that moment, I became curious about how theatre can help communication, confidence, and personal growth.

Roots (people & experiences that shaped your path)

My theatre journey has been shaped mostly by group experiences and learning environments where expression and trust were encouraged. Workshops, role-play activities, and group reflections were important for me because they showed how theatre can create connection and understanding between people.

People who facilitated these activities also had a strong impact on me — especially those who created a safe atmosphere where participants could be honest and creative without fear of judgment. Moments when I saw how shy participants opened up or how emotions could be communicated without words were particularly meaningful and inspired my interest in theatre as a tool for communication and personal growth.

The trunk (what keeps you in theatre)

What keeps me connected to theatre is the feeling of authenticity and human connection it creates. Through theatre, people can express emotions, explore perspectives, and understand each other beyond everyday conversation. I appreciate how it helps build confidence, empathy, and openness both in myself and in others.

I continue because every experience feels different — you learn not only techniques, but also something about yourself and about people. Theatre gives space for reflection, creativity, and honest communication, and that makes me want to keep exploring it.

Branches (future / desire)

In the future, I see theatre as a tool for communication, learning, and personal development. I would like to use it in work with young people as a way to help them express themselves, build confidence, and understand others better. I believe theatre can create safe spaces where people reflect, share experiences, and grow together.

In the next years, I hope theatre will give me more confidence in facilitation, creativity in working with groups, and deeper understanding of human emotions and interaction. I also hope it will help me connect people and support meaningful dialogue in my community.

Are you currently involved in cultural activities?

Yes, sometimes

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? Why?

I would describe myself as a combination of a sakura tree and a cacao tree.
The sakura represents my sensitivity, curiosity, and appreciation of the present moment – the emotional and reflective side that theatre gives me, where I can notice small details and connect with people on a deeper level.

The cacao tree represents growth, sharing, and transformation. I enjoy bringing people together, and I especially like sharing warm moments with others – even something simple like drinking cacao together and talking. For me it symbolizes creating a safe and comfortable space where people can open up, communicate, and feel connected.

Contact

Instagram: @yura_dorotyak5

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