In times when war takes away one's home, the usual way of life, and a sense of security, simple joys acquire an extraordinary therapeutic power. A taste familiar from childhood can become an anchor that brings back memories of peaceful times, and a sweet aroma can be a quiet harbour amidst a storm of anxieties. It was on this idea that the art-therapy event “Chocolate Joy” was based, held on July 29, 2025, for elderly internally displaced persons residing in the dormitory of the Separate Structural Subdivision “Poltava Oil and Gas Professional College” of the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”.
This art-therapy meeting was organised and conducted by Lesia Klevaka, Ph.D. in Pedagogy, Associate Professor, and Acting Head of the Department of Psychology and Pedagogy, and Viktoriia Shevchuk, Ph.D. in Psychology and Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology and Pedagogy. This event took place within the framework of the large-scale international Erasmus+ KA220-ADU project “TRUST” – Trauma of refugees in Europe: An approach through art therapy as a solidarity program for Ukraine war victims (Grant No. 2024-BE01-KA220-ADU-000257527).
The project title is decoded as follows:
TRUST
T – Trauma
R – Refugees
U – Ukraine
S – Solidarity
T – Therapy
The project is co-funded by the EU and led by the Centre Neuro Psychiatrique St-Martin from Belgium, in partnership with the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” (Ukraine), Greek Carers Network EPIONI (Greece), Fondazione Don Luigi Di Liegro (Italy), Lekama Foundation (Luxembourg), EuroPlural Project (Portugal).
For older adults who have lost everything and were forced to leave their homes, emotional comfort and a sense of care are vitally important. That is why psychologists Lesia Klevaka and Viktoriia Shevchuk chose an unusual but remarkably effective tool for their work – chocolate. Have you ever noticed how your mood seems to improve on its own after a delicious piece of chocolate? This is no coincidence! Chocolate genuinely affects our brain – it promotes the production of endorphins, which reduce stress levels, and dopamine, which is responsible for feelings of pleasure. It also contains phenylethylamine, the so-called “molecule of love”, which brings back warmth and joy.
Today, the participants of the art-therapy event experienced firsthand that chocolate is not just about taste, but also about emotional comfort. During the session, we combined the pleasant with the practical – creativity, aroma, taste, and symbolism.
The therapeutic journey began with the exercise “My Chocolate Candy”. Participants were not just making a sweet treat but creating a symbol of something deeply personal. Each person filled their imaginary candy with a unique “filling”: memories of their native home, love for their grandchildren, hope for victory, or gratitude for support. During the presentation, participants shared touching stories: “What is inside my candy?” and “To whom am I giving it?”. It was a warm, sincere conversation that allowed everyone to connect with their inner resources and feel a sense of unity.
The culmination of the session was the creation of a “Chocolate Garden”. Before starting to draw, each participant enjoyed a piece of aromatic chocolate to tune into pleasant emotions. Then, painting an imaginary garden with chocolate trees and flowers, the participants, who are IDPs, created a space of peace, hope, and warmth. Each element of the garden had its symbolism: a tree represented stability, a flower – tenderness, and the sun – protection. This process had a deep symbolism: the tree embodied the stability they had lost, the flower – gentleness and hope, and the sun – protection and warmth. By creating this imaginary space of tranquillity, the women were not just drawing; they were building a new inner foundation, a place they could mentally return to in moments of sadness.
The kinesthetic experience – unwrapping the candy, the movement of the brush, working with paints – soothed the nervous system. At the same time, the creation of bright, warm images evoked positive emotions and reduced anxiety. According to the trainers, the atmosphere in the room changed after the session: faces brightened, and sparks of joy appeared in their eyes.
The psychological and physiological benefits of chocolate therapy are comprehensive and scientifically grounded. Inhaling the aroma and tasting chocolate stimulates the production of endorphins and dopamine, which naturally improve mood, relieve stress and fatigue, and provide a sense of comfort and pleasure. In addition to its emotional impact, the flavonoids found in cocoa positively affect cognitive functions, improving memory and concentration, while caffeine and theobromine enhance performance. Moreover, research confirms that moderate consumption of dark chocolate can improve blood circulation and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, making it not only a pleasant but also a valuable tool for supporting overall well-being.
Chocolatetherapy is not just a taste; it is an emotion that heals.
Thank you to everyone for the atmosphere of warmth and creativity!
Conducting such events is an integral part of the international Erasmus+ “TRUST” project. Thanks to the collaboration with partners from five EU countries, we have the opportunity to provide adequate psychological support to those who need it most. The “Chocolate Joy” art-therapy session is proof that care can be simple yet incredibly profound. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is a place for light, warmth, and the sweet taste of hope.
As a reminder, the faculty of Poltava Polytechnic can participate in academic mobility and internship programs. Students can study abroad through Erasmus+ credit academic mobility grant programs for a semester or a full academic year at leading universities in Austria, Greenland, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.
For more detailed information on current internship, teaching, and academic mobility programs abroad, please get in touch with the International Relations Office (office 213-C, interoffice@nupp.edu.ua) or the coordinator of international activities at the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” – Anna Pavelieva, Ph.D. in Philology, Associate Professor of the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation (email: kunsite.zi@gmail.com, phone: +38-(095)-91-08-192).
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