In today’s political climate, where far-right movements have gained momentum across the globe, and have indeed come to power in some of the world’s largest democracies, such as the United States, Brazil, and Italy, the need to promote gender equality and peace is greater than ever.
The arts are an ideal space for doing so – through storytelling, audience members connect with ideas in ways that would not otherwise be possible. Telling the stories of women in war dismantles mainstream patriarchal narratives where women are often overlooked, and simultaneously challenges traditional viewpoints that would see women as passive, submissive, and unfit for the arena of war. These stories show that women were involved in major historical events, remind people of the pivotal role women play today, and highlight the importance of gender equality going forward, contributing as it does to more sustainable and peaceful societies.
These are the goals of Smashing Times, an arts organisation based in Dublin, Ireland, who have been running The Woman is Present: Women’s Stories of WWII for the past two years now. This show is a creative reimagining of moments from the lives of women during World War II, recalling stories of bravery, sacrifice and love amidst the horror of war, as women stood up against fascism and totalitarianism.
Among the women whose stories feature are Mary Elmes, a Cork woman who was the first Irish person honoured as ‘Righteous Among Nations’ for her work saving Jewish children from the Nazis; and Marta Hillers, author of Eine Frau in Berlin which detailed the mass rape of women by the Red Army in the aftermath of World War II. The story of Maria Eugenia Jasińska, from Łódź, Poland, is also included, a member of the resistance who gave up her life rather than give names to the Nazis; alongside that of Neus Català Pallejà from Spain, an active collaborator with the French Resistance during World War II, and a concentration camp survivor, who sadly passed away recently at the incredible age of 103.
Each performance is followed by a post-show discussion with the artists and invited guest speakers to explore powerful women’s stories in history and themes of gender equality and peace in Ireland, Northern Ireland and internationally. The show and subsequent discussion involve citizens in remembrance, debate and learning in relation to women’s stories of World War II. Through highlighting the role played by ordinary yet extraordinary women in challenging fascism, and the terrible hardships they endured, the value of tolerance, equality, and peace for society is impressed upon audiences and participants. The performance went on national and international tour to Ireland, Northern Ireland and Germany from September 2017 to February 2018, receiving an immensely positive response.
