“The Mystery of the Little Owl”—a play created at the initiative of the Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies (IERS) and the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe (IRCEF)—has once again graced the European stage. On October 15, 2026, the Transcarpathian Academic Regional Puppet Theatre “Bavka” presented this environmental production with great success at the EUROMARIONETE International Animation Festival in Arad, Romania.

This touching story, authored by Nina Malyshka and Honored Artist of Ukraine Nataliia Orieshnikova, introduced the audience to the rare barn owl—often associated with church belfries—and highlighted the crucial issue of protecting endangered birds and animals in the Carpathian region. The cast—featuring Honored Artist of Ukraine Mykola Karpenko, Yuliia Chekhovska, and Dariia Holiana—received enthusiastic applause from international colleagues, Romanian children, and Ukrainian students currently studying in the Design Department at the Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad.

Today, the play continues to be widely performed for children, supported by the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe (IRCEF), in partnership with the Ecology Commission of the Mukachevo Greek Catholic Eparchy, and with the assistance of the Archdiocese of Bamberg. Success on the international stage has once again confirmed that the ideas of environmental stewardship championed by the team are universal and resonate with every audience member. Furthermore, these international performances serve an important social mission: they offer a warm gesture of cultural support to Ukrainians—including displaced persons and students—who are currently living away from home.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Theatre team for their steadfast commitment to environmental causes, their promotion of conservation values, and their development of “eco-theatre” in the Zakarpattia region. We are proud to be involved in this vital and foundational endeavor!

IRCEF Information Service