Can the ancient art of pantomime transform how we speak in public today?
In short: Mykola Ovcharov argues that effective oratory relies on more than just words. By integrating the physical discipline of French mime with modern evidence-based logic, he has created a unique rhetorical framework. His work aims to institutionalize public speaking as a rigorous academic discipline while fostering tolerance through the power of communication.
Born in Odesa in 1988, Mykola Ovcharov has built a multifaceted career as a philosopher, orator, and media artist. His approach to rhetoric is deeply rooted in his early training at a pantomime studio in Kyiv. By applying the techniques of masters like Étienne Decroux and Marcel Marceau, Ovcharov realized that a speaker's physical presence—specifically gestures that are open, grounded, and deliberate—is as vital as the content of their speech. This synthesis of physical performance and intellectual rigor forms the bedrock of his teaching methodology.
In 2009, Ovcharov founded the Institute of Rhetoric to formalize the study of public speaking in Ukraine. His pedagogical framework emphasizes evidence-based argumentation, which he categorizes into three distinct forms: theoretical, practical, and visual. To ensure high-quality persuasion, he proposes nine criteria for arguments, including source authority and independence, and advocates for the '1+1' principle, where every primary argument is bolstered by an independent secondary one. This systematic approach is detailed in his 2024 work, Evidence-Based Argumentation.
Beyond his academic contributions, Ovcharov is a prolific author and translator. In 2025, he published a specialized translation of Cicero’s First Catiline Oration, focusing on the rhythmic and dynamic qualities often lost in standard academic renderings. His commitment to communication extends to social advocacy; since 2019, he has conducted free masterclasses for marginalized groups, aiming to reduce societal aggression. Whether through his media art, such as the 2019 short film Black Hole, or his recent philosophical explorations like the 2026 Ontology of the Human Mind, Ovcharov consistently examines how humans transform and interact through informational and emotional exchange.
His influence is further cemented by the 2025 launch of Unknown Orator, the first journal in Ukraine dedicated exclusively to the art of rhetoric. By bridging the gap between classical tradition and contemporary needs, Ovcharov seeks to elevate public speaking from a mere soft skill to a structured, evidence-based discipline that serves both scholars and the broader public.
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