THE WEIGHT OF WAR

Paul O'Donnell, Coventry-born artist and Creative Director of Extraordinary Us, is set to travel to Rwanda on 15th October 2024, to commence the primary research phase of the groundbreaking international project; The Weight of War. Supported by key funders such as the West Midlands Combined Authority, British Council and Arts Council England, this trip marks the beginning of O'Donnell's exploration of the inherited grief and trauma experienced by those born after conflict.

The Weight of War is a collaboratively created project spanning seven countries, each affected by significant conflict, these include Rwanda, Kosovo, South Korea, Northern Ireland, England and America. O'Donnell will engage with local residents, particularly those born after the respective conflict ‘ended’, to capture their personal experiences and reflections on the lasting impacts war has on people and place. Rwanda, a central location in this project, offers a unique perspective due to its efforts in reconciliation and healing since the genocide. O'Donnell’s visit will coincide with the Kwita Izina Festival, where key partners Mashirika Performing Arts' will showcase new work.

"I personally feel I am crafted by The Coventry Blitz of 1940, which was 51 years before I was born in the city" 

said O'Donnell.

"...with wars continuing to erupt across the globe, I intend to uncover the ways that conflicts continue to infiltrate the generations of a place who were too young to live through them.”

O'Donnell’s first visit will be to Rwanda on 15th October to include visiting memorials and monuments, as well as leading structured conversations with local citizens born after 1994. This will continue over the coming months at each of the locations mentioned focussing specifically on the perspectives of those born after their locations conflict ended. His collaborations with partners like Mashirika, a renowned Rwandan theatre company known for its community-focused work, will help him develop authentic connections and guide the creative process.

This visit is part of a larger creative endeavour that links stories from locations as varied as Coventry, Derry, Vietnam, Kosovo, and South Korea. Each location brings a unique narrative of conflict, allowing *The Weight of War* to explore the global impact of war across generations and continents. The project ultimately aims to create a powerful verbatim performance piece that brings together these diverse voices into a single, unified narrative. It is also in conversations about documentary and podcast outputs.

PROJECT PARTNERS:

COVENTRY, ENGLAND - Extraordinary Us CIC

The Blitz [ended 1940]

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - Duri Dance Theatre

The Korean War - ‘The Forgotten War’ [ended 1953]

KIGALI, RWANDA - Mashirika

The Rwandan Genocide [ended 1994]

LONDON(DERRY), NORTHERN IRELAND - The Playhouse Derry

The Troubles [ended 1998]

PRISTINA, KOSOVO - Artpolis

The Kosovo War [ended 1999]

NEW YORK, USA - (Organisation TBC)

9/11 - The Twin Towers [ended 2001]