Can a puppet save a life? In this deeply moving talk, Valerii, a Ukrainian army officer and puppeteer, shares how he uses the power of traditional Ukrainian puppet theatre to heal hearts on the frontline. Blending art and service, he reveals how puppetry has become a form of resistance, remembrance, and hope, offering soldiers and civilians alike a reason to keep going and a vision of the future worth fighting for.For three years, Ukrainian soldiers have fought for freedom, and supporting their mental health is essential. Ukrainian Army Officer and art therapist Valerii Dzekh offers this support in combat, training, and rehabilitation areas. As part of the Cultural Forces Unit, he arranges art therapy and puppetry performances, conducting over a thousand events in six months. Before his service, Valerii focused on educating children in hospitals and orphanages. Since 2011, he and his wife have run the Small Marionette Theatre, creating 25 children’s shows and five for adults. Valerii studied puppet theatre acting at Kharkiv I.P. Kotlyarevsky National University of Arts and is a member of the NUTWU and UNIMA. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 4:31The Power of Taking Risks | Arame Marukyan | TEDxYouth@RegentsSchoolSome people take risks by skydiving. Others by trying a new haircut. Arame is here to show us that whether big or small, taking risks might just be the key to unlocking our potential. Arame is a 17-year-old student at Regent’s International School, originally from Yerevan, Armenia. He is passionate about entrepreneurship and business, fascinated by philosophy, history, and politics, and enjoys chess, football, and calisthenics. He graduated from a music school in Armenia and has played the guitar for over eight years. From a young age, Arame excelled in both chess and classical music, winning multiple competitions, including a prestigious Grand Prix in 2024. His love for philosophy has shaped his mindset on ambition and risk-taking. He firmly believes that the ability to take risks is the most essential skill for success. Arame aspires to become an entrepreneur and establish his own company. His passion for public speaking and performance emerged early—at just nine years old, he led his team to victory on a televised game show. Over the years, he has performed in various concert halls in front of hundreds of people, strengthening his confidence on stage. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 4:59The Power of Embracing: Turning Defeat into Lessons | Anya Bijaphala | TEDxYouth@RegentsSchoolFailure isn’t the end of the story—it’s just the start of a better plot twist. Anya is here to show us how defeat can actually be character development. Anya is a 12-year old student in year 7 studying at Regent's International School Bangkok. Being raised in Bangkok with a Thai family who highly values resilience and personal development, Anya developed the virtues of confidence and determination. From an early age, her perseverance and effort were rewarded. She was offered opportunities to enhance her interests of public speaking and leadership from as young as the age of 5, such as: securing the role of the primary head girl in year 6. Her other passions include various sports such as basketball and football. She trains hard for her preferred sports and consistently strives for enhancements in her performance. Anya aims for improvement in everything she does, recognising that even in the mistakes she makes there are opportunities to learn; hence she believes in the saying “It’s not what happens to you, but how you choose to respond.” This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
