Play "Paper Dog" by Japanese playwright Masaaki Domoto

On 21 November 2025, the students of the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations (IIR) presented a performance based on the play Paper Dog by Japanese playwright Masaaki Domoto at the Les Kurbas National Center for Theatre Arts.

On 10 October 2025, the play was first introduced to a wide audience within the walls of the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations. The students showcased a profound and symbolically rich story about human closeness, choice, and the inevitability of life’s changes.

The play tells the story of two friends whose destinies intertwine against the backdrop of ancient Japanese traditions and moral norms. At the heart of the narrative lies the conflict between personal feelings, loyalty, and duty, as well as the desire to preserve friendship in a world where every circumstance suggests that change is unavoidable.

A special role in the production is played by the image of the paper dog—a symbol of the fragility of human relationships. The delicate paper figure emphasizes the central idea of the work: even the strongest bonds require care and sincere attention.

Creative Team

Director and translator of the production — Ivan Solomakha, a second-year student of the “International Relations” program.

He translated the play into Ukrainian and developed the directorial vision, combining elements of traditional Japanese drama with a contemporary theatrical approach.

Leading Roles:

Kosaka Uneme — Volodymyr Sydorenko (2 MV)

Todoroki Benemono — Artur Bedrak (2 MV)

Servant — Maksym Marynych (3 MV)

The young actors created expressive and psychologically nuanced characters, allowing the audience to fully experience the emotional intensity and dramatic depth of the story.

«Paper Dog» is a philosophical tale about friendship tested by fate, about the difficult choice between duty and emotion, and about separation that has the power to make the heart wiser.