Interpreting the Unambiguous offers a way to look at the obvious from a new angle. We often assume certain things have only one meaning, but a closer look can reveal new layers. Everyone perceives the world through the lens of their own experience, emotions, and imagination. That’s why even the simplest words, texts, or ideas can sound different depending on who reads or hears them. There is no single correct answer—only multiple perspectives, each revealing something new.
— Rita
In our rapidly changing world, we have a chance to better understand ourselves and break free from imposed ways of thinking. It’s an opportunity to reconsider our perspectives, question what has already been established, and create something personal by turning to our own experiences.
It may seem that interpreting the unambiguous is impossible—that these concepts contradict one another. Yet each person has their own understanding of what is ʼunambiguousʼ, and it may differ from that of others. This opens up a space for dialogue and self-expression. In literature, we are no longer bound to the question of what the author intended; instead, each reader creates their own meaning and interprets through the lens of their own experience.
— Kateryna
If you ask an adult what comes to mind when they think of teenagers, you’ll get a wide range of answers. I asked my mother, and she simply replied: “Disconnected.” These days, ‘teenager’ almost feels like an insult.
We’re a separate caste—not children anymore, but not quite adults either, though already fully developed. We seek recognition, we search for ourselves. Everyone seems to have something to say about teenage maximalism. And of course, it’s no surprise that the most frequent arguments and misunderstandings happen between adults and teens. The so-called generation gap—when both sides see each other as intolerable.
That’s how adults see it. But what about teens themselves?
Interpreting the Unambiguous is a project by teenagers, about teenagers, and—surprisingly—for teenagers.
We invite you to join our events, to listen, to talk, to meet our guests, and to reflect.
— Ksenia
There are countless words in the world to describe what we might feel: sadness, joy, despair, happiness, inspiration, and so on. Each of these words comes with a definition—and we’ve all come to understand what they mean to us personally. At first glance, these words seem unambiguous. Yet, when we talk to different people, we discover that they may experience the same emotions in entirely different ways. For them, these feelings take on a different shape—just as they do for us. What seems to hold a clear meaning for one person may carry something entirely different for someone else.
— Sonia
Can the familiar hold deeper meaning? Emotions, feelings, and experiences are complex human states that call for reflection. Our program is an attempt to explore ways of understanding ourselves and others. It is about the search for one’s own ‘self’ and its place within a world full of possibilities; about self-expression through creativity; about dialogue and reflection. We have worked to create a mindful, welcoming space where everyone can feel safe and supported among like-minded individuals.
— Olia
To me, this title speaks to the uniqueness of our perspectives and the way our views can differ—even when we’re looking at the same thing. It’s about asking, “What makes our thoughts diverge?” It’s about personal experience, bias, belief, and the prism through which each of us sees the world.
It’s also about us—teenagers—and our shared project. Working alongside other teens, and being one myself, I’ve come to see how truly unique we all are because each of us sees things differently. I love this project because it allows every voice to be heard, encourages us to see things anew, and gives us the chance to understand—even just a little—how someone else thinks.
And that, to me, is magical 🙂
— Vika
Your words can be used against you.
That’s something we hear often, isn’t it? Words that seem straightforward are interpreted differently by everyone. Each person will have their own opinion, their own impression of what you said—some will agree, others won’t. Everything you say is understood in a slightly different way. Not always drastically, but always uniquely. It’s like a ‘translation’ of your words into the language of the listener—even if you’re both speaking Ukrainian—because everyone has their own dialect, their own version. So any thought that leaves your mouth will transform in the minds of others. And it will also change for you—it may become strange, brilliant, confusing, or something else entirely. That’s why, for me, this program and the works we’ve created are a way to examine and rethink things anew—not only the thoughts, words, and actions of others, but also my own.
— Sasha
For me, Interpreting the Unambiguous is primarily about experience. An experience that is the same for everyone and yet uniquely individual. It is about how each of us thinks, feels, goes through certain stages, and learns life’s lessons differently. It is about how we all, in one way or another, try to communicate: within our families, at school, at work, in friendships, but most importantly—with ourselves. We try to define boundaries, define ourselves, catch the wave of thoughts, and endlessly get lost in the exploration of our inner world. Every day, we strive for harmony in communication—understanding. Achieving it can be difficult, painful, tragic, or unbearable, but this journey undoubtedly changes us—and for the better.
— Zhenia
Our program is created by and for teenagers. The participants of the Literary Laboratory want to share their vision with the audience through sensory texts and special events. Visitors to the program’s events will have the opportunity to create, listen, and interact. During our time in the Literary Laboratory, we have prepared a safe and useful space for our peers.
One of the events—a reading of texts—will present the result of our creative work within the Literary Laboratory. For visitors who want to unleash their creative potential, two workshops will take place—one on collage-making and the other on writing. The program will also feature discussions on mental health, issues surrounding content for teenagers, and the search for one’s place in the literary world.
In addition, for one evening, we will open the Otherworldly Literary Salon, where teenagers can rediscover famous authors and writers they know from their school curriculum, exploring them from a new perspective. Throughout the festival, there will also be an exhibition created in collaboration with the Youth Council of Mystetskyi Arsenal.