Requiem for Larisa. Goodbye, world!
A short film that uses the unique technique of sandbox animation by Svetlana Telbukh. The music of Valentin Sylvestrov will be performed by the famous Ukrainian violinist Evgenia Sirenko, and the film will be played by the company Sand Elf.
The most tragic aspect of the remaining rocks in Ukraine was war. The slogan “Farewell, world!” represents the loss of the Ukrainian people in the event of this war. This project is a synthesis of sandy mysticism, music and deep feelings.
THE MAIN IDEA
Dark music touched my soul and through sand animation I conveyed to the spectators the pain and hope of the entire Ukrainian people.
The child, which symbolizes the birth of Ukraine, sleeps peacefully in a nest in the volume of a crane – a symbol of family values.
The girl is growing into adulthood and a strong woman, especially in Ukraine for 31 years. The tree, which is deeply rooted in the ground, is a symbol of the strength of the native land – the genetic code of Ukrainians.
The woman-mother has grown up, hugging the wings of her children, the place of Ukraine, to carry us to the present. The most famous monuments of Ukraine come to life in the sand, such as Sophia of Kiev, Nezalezhnosti Square, the Lviv Opera House and the signature fountain of Kharkov. This image – the mother bird, which symbolizes the present-day Ukraine – is a reflection of the strength and pain of the Ukrainian people. It has food and protection in large volumes.
The culmination of the work is the whole battle between the crow and the crane – the interplay of good and evil.
The light image of the crane, which reappears with the saddle, symbolizes rebirth and a peaceful future.
I depicted the important hours of the difficult, cruel 2022 fate with the appearance of an evil black crow, who raided our lands with the aim of taking them away. If you can’t find it, burn it so that no one gets it…
"Farewell, world!" — this is a synthesis of sand mystique, music and feeling. I respect my requests through the power of creativity, to reveal the history of Ukraine, which means the greatness and resilience during important hours.
The visual rhythm of a wheat field, covered with half-holes, indicative of a peaceful hour, swept away by the storm of war.
I am confident that this revelation will leave onlookers wondering about the strength of the human spirit in critical times.
MUSICAL SUPPORT
From 1997 to 1999, the famous Ukrainian composer Valentin Vasilyovich Sylvestrov wrote in mourning in memory of his fallen squad his remaining work “Requiem for Larisa. Farewell, light!”
Requiem for the nominations for the category “The Best Classical Current TV” for the Grammy Award in 2005.
FUTURE SHOW
SHOW
LOCATION
DATE
School Concert The Little Mermaid
Gera, Germany
February 11, 2025 09:00
Experience the enchanting tale of “The Little Mermaid” brought to life through mesmerizing sand animation by Svetlana Telbukh, in collaboration with the Theater Altenburg Gera. Under the direction of conductor Changmin Park, the orchestra will perform Benjamin Britten’s “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra,” with narration by Ruth Ohlmann. This performance blends music and visual storytelling, immersing the audience in the Little Mermaid’s journey of love and curiosity in the human world.
New Year’s Concert Stories in Sand
Bremerhaven, Germany
January 1, 2025 17:00
The art of sand painting, which brings magnificent visual panoramas to life on a sandy surface projected onto a screen, has long captivated audiences. Ukrainian sand artist Svetlana Telbukh will transform the music performed by the Philharmonic Orchestra into stunning sand paintings during the New Year’s concert.
For instance, the Witches’ Sabbath at midnight on the Bald Mountain and the enchanted forest from Shakespeare and Mendelssohn’s *A Midsummer Night’s Dream* will come alive through both sound and imagery. Additionally, the broomstick from Goethe’s *The Sorcerer’s Apprentice* will playfully emerge on the screen while being musically depicted in Paul Dukas’s symphonic poem.
Metamorphosis of the soul
Zwickau, Germany
October 2, 2024 19:30
Philharmonic concert featuring captivating sand animation by Svetlana Telbukh, presented by the Clara-Schumann-Philharmoniker Plauen-Zwickau under conductor GMD Leo Siberski.
The sand animation will enhance the Fourth Symphony, visually interpreting the emotional journey from darkness to light, with each musical phrase symbolizing liberation and triumph. The concert program includes Peer Baierlein’s Davids Bündler (commissioned work, world premiere), Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 performed by Ray Harada, winner of the 2024 International Schumann Competition, and Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120.
CREATIVE TEAM
An elegant composition acquires new meanings when it is performed by the outstanding Ukrainian violinist, candidate of art history and laureate of international competitions – Yevgenia Sirenko. As an artist of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, a group of first violins, Evgenia brings sophistication and a high level of performance skill to the performance. Her violin becomes a transmitter of deep feelings and emotions, which are intertwined with images drawn in sand. The music video becomes a kind of requiem for all the dead and victims of Russian aggression during the full-scale invasion.
Svetlana Telbukh, born in 1984, Kharkiv, Ukraine. She graduated from Kharkiv State University of Construction and Architecture. Participated in Ukraine’s Got Talent, America’s Got Talent, Spain’s Got Talent. She patented a unique methodology of teaching sand art und opened Sand Animation Academy in Ukraine where studies more than 2000 children. Svetlana won awards at film festivals in Los Angeles, New York, Berlin, London, Prague, and the world’s oldest independent film festival, Worldfest Houston International Film Festival.
SVETLANA TELBUKH
International sand animation artist
Evgeniya Sirenko, born in 1980, Kyiv, Ukraine. She graduated from the M.V. Lysenko School, studying under Tetiana Snizhna. She completed her studies at the National Music Academy of Ukraine in the violin class under Professor Anatoliy Bazhenov. She also completed her assistant internship in the chamber ensemble class under Professor Lyudmyla Tsvyrko. A diploma winner and laureate of international competitions, she holds a PhD in Art Studies, is an artist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine (first violin section), and teaches violin at the Kyiv State Music Lyceum named after M.V. Lysenko.
EVGENIA SIRENKO
Ukrainian violin, an artist in the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
Next project
Metamorphosis of the Soul
t the 2nd Philharmonic Concert, the “Schumann Open,” sand artist Svetlana Telbukh will create her own artwork during Robert Schumann’s 4th Symphony, enriching the musical experience with a stunning sand animation. Two ephemeral art forms meet, inspiring one another.
Spain’s got talent
On the TV show “Spain’s Got Talent,” sand artist Svetlana Telbukh delivered something truly unique to the audience. She took on the challenging task of creating portraits of the judges using sand, a material that demands exceptional skill and precision. Every movement was carefully thought out.
The audience was stunned when they recognized the judges, and the hall erupted in a standing ovation.
Little Mermaid
Enchanting story of the “Little Mermaid” brought to life through the fascinating sand animation of Svetlana Telbukh in collaboration with the Theater Altenburg Gera. Under the direction of conductor Changmin Park, the orchestra will perform Benjamin Britten’s “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra”, accompanied by the narration of Ruth Ohlmann. This performance combines music and visual storytelling and immerses the audience in the little mermaid’s journey full of love and curiosity in the human world.
