🇪🇺 TEEN European Digital Community: Willow of Aftertaste from Kremenchuk, Ukraine

Willow of Aftertaste

I’m Maryna, 16, from Kremenchuk, Ukraine. I study at a Scientific Lyceum and focus on academic growth and languages. I have studied English deeply since 5th grade and recently achieved C1 level, and I also study German. I am passionate about psychology and hope to pursue it in the future because I care deeply about mental health and emotional well-being. Alongside school, I co-founded an educational project where I teach English and other subjects to make learning more accessible. I also swim regularly (especially backstroke), love debating, and constantly work on my communication skills. My dream is to study abroad and later use my knowledge to strengthen mental health awareness and contribute to Ukraine’s future.

The soil / the need

When I attended my first performance — an adaptation of The Odyssey — I was absorbed by a magnificent atmosphere. The expectation, the people around me, even the air felt different.

The first seed

A friend.

Tell us about that first spark

It happened when I attended my friend’s first school performance. I saw pure devotion in her eyes — she wasn’t acting, she was living the character.

Roots (people & experiences that shaped your path)

My school gave me the chance to discover theatre as more than entertainment — as a way to understand emotions and people. My friend also played a big role: after performances, we shared thoughts, discussed characters, and reflected together. Those conversations made theatre much more meaningful for me.

The trunk (what keeps you in theatre)

The aftertaste — what stays with me after theatre. I keep thinking about scenes, lines, and characters long after a performance ends. Sometimes one moment stays with me for days.

Branches (future / desire)

I believe theatre will play an important role in my future. I am already involved in school theatre and in an upcoming play about representatives of the Executed Renaissance. I hope to stay involved at least on an amateur level, because theatre reflects society, gives us a chance to pause and reflect, and helps me express myself while exploring cultural and historical topics.

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

A willow tree — it often grows near rivers and lakes, and I love water deeply. The willow is also a symbol of Ukraine.

Contact

Email: levchenkomarina29062009@gmail.com