On October 3, 2019, during the live broadcast of the German Unity Day celebrations from Kiel on ZDF, the Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra performed alongside Svetlana Telbukh, who presented a moving sand animation telling the story of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
This is one of the concerts that is especially close to my heart, inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann's beloved Christmas story and created in collaboration with the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and conductor Dilyaver Osmanov.
As if by magic, the sand animation transports the audience into a fantastical world where the enchantment of sand and Tchaikovsky's captivating music create an atmosphere filled with wonder. The sand drawings lead us into the world of young Marie, where the Nutcracker confronts the Mouse King and, after his victory, is transformed into a handsome prince.
This is more than a performance—it is a magical journey in which every grain of sand and every note of the orchestra tells the story, reminding us that miracles are always close; we simply have to believe in them.
On October 3, 2019, during the live broadcast of the German Unity Day celebrations from Kiel on ZDF, the Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra performed alongside Svetlana Telbukh, who presented a moving sand animation telling the story of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The enchanting story of The Little Mermaid comes to life through Svetlana Telbukh's captivating sand animation, created in collaboration with Theater Altenburg Gera. Under the direction of conductor Changmin Park, the orchestra performs Benjamin Britten's The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, accompanied by the narration of Ruth Ohlmann. This performance combines music with visual storytelling, immersing the audience in the Little Mermaid's journey, filled with love and curiosity about the human world.
At the 2nd Philharmonic Concert, "Schumann Open," sand artist Svetlana Telbukh creates her own work of art live during Robert Schumann's Symphony No. 4, enriching the musical experience with a breathtaking sand animation. Two extraordinary art forms meet, inspire one another, and merge into a unique artistic experience.
A short film by Lana Telbukh, created using the unique technique of sand animation. The music of Valentin Sylvestrov is performed by the renowned Ukrainian violinist Evgenia Sirenko. The film is produced by Sand Elf.
War has become the greatest tragedy of modern Ukraine. The phrase "Goodbye, World!" symbolizes the countless lives lost and the profound suffering endured by the Ukrainian people because of this war.
This project is a synthesis of sand animation, music, and deep emotion.
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, symbolizing the birth of Ukraine, sleeps peacefully in a nest cradled by a crane—a timeless symbol of family, protection, and devotion.
The girl grows into a strong woman, reflecting Ukraine's journey over the past 31 years. The tree, deeply rooted in the earth, symbolizes the strength of the homeland and the genetic heritage of the Ukrainian people.
The woman becomes a mother, embracing her children beneath her wings. She embodies Ukraine itself, carrying its people into the present day. In the flowing sand, Ukraine's most famous landmarks come to life, including Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Independence Square, the Lviv Opera House, and the Mirror Stream Fountain in Kharkiv.
This image of the mother bird symbolizes present-day Ukraine—a nation of strength, resilience, and profound sorrow. Her outstretched wings offer protection, hope, and the promise of a future.
The culmination of the film is the dramatic battle between the crow and the crane—a symbolic confrontation between evil and good.
The culmination of the film is the dramatic battle between the crow and the crane—a symbolic confrontation between evil and good.
I portrayed the tragic events of 2022 through the appearance of a black crow—an embodiment of destruction and aggression—that invades our land with the sole purpose of taking it away. If it cannot possess it, it destroys it so that no one else can.
"GOODBYE, WORLD!" is a synthesis of sand animation, music, and profound emotion. Through the power of art, I seek to tell the story of Ukraine—its greatness, resilience, and unwavering spirit during one of the darkest periods of its history.
The visual rhythm of a wheat field, scarred by shell craters, represents a peaceful land devastated by the storm of war.
I believe this work will inspire audiences to reflect on the strength of the human spirit in times of great adversity.
From 1997 to 1999, the renowned Ukrainian composer Valentin Vasilyovych Sylvestrov composed "Requiem for Larisa. Farewell, O World!" in memory of his late wife, Larisa.
The work was nominated for the Grammy Award in the category Best Classical Contemporary Composition in 2005.
The composition takes on new meaning through the performance of the outstanding Ukrainian violinist Evgenia Sirenko, PhD in Art History and laureate of numerous international competitions.
As a member of the First Violin Section of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Evgenia brings exceptional artistry, refinement, and technical mastery to the performance. Her violin becomes a voice of profound emotion, seamlessly intertwining with the images created in sand.
This film becomes a requiem for all those who lost their lives and for the victims of Russian aggression during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian violinist, member of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
Evgenia Sirenko was born in 1980 in Kyiv, Ukraine. She graduated from the M. V. Lysenko Specialized Music School, where she studied under Tetiana Snizhna. She continued her education at the Ukrainian National Tchaikovsky Academy of Music in the violin class of Professor Anatoliy Bazhenov and completed her postgraduate assistantship in chamber ensemble under Professor Lyudmyla Tsvyrko.
A prizewinner and laureate of numerous international competitions, Evgenia Sirenko holds a PhD in Art Studies. She is a member of the First Violin Section of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and teaches violin at the M. V. Lysenko Kyiv State Music Lyceum.
International Sand Animation Artist
Lana Telbukh was born in 1984 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. She graduated from the Kharkiv State University of Civil Engineering and Architecture.
She gained international recognition through appearances on Ukraine's Got Talent, America's Got Talent, and Spain's Got Talent. Lana is the creator of a patented methodology for teaching sand art and the founder of the Sand Animation Academy in Ukraine, where more than 2,000 children have studied.
Her films have received awards at international film festivals in Los Angeles, New York, Berlin, London, Prague, as well as at WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, one of the world's oldest independent film festivals.
It became a magical journey where every flowing wave of sand captured a fleeting moment, and every line revealed a story. The artist's remarkable ability to move the audience and touch the soul through every frame has left a lasting impression on my heart.
Travel is an endless book whose pages are written not with ink, but with the winds of distant lands, the whisper of the sand, and the roar of the oceans. The 90-minute sand animation concert, "Sand Stories of the World," takes the audience on a journey across the continents, much like turning the pages of the wonderful book of life.
Over the course of 90 minutes, entire worlds unfold before the audience—from the majestic mountains of Tibet and the endless deserts of the Sahara to the roaring waters of the Amazon and the lights of nighttime Tokyo. Every movement of the sand beneath the artist's hands creates a new chapter in this book, one that can never be completely read.
As Heinrich Heine wrote: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." This concert offers the opportunity to discover many of those pages, to experience the beauty and diversity of our world, brought to life for a fleeting moment yet destined to remain in the heart forever.
Today, Ukraine is going through difficult times. Innocent people are losing their lives, and everything that has been built and protected over centuries is being destroyed. The world watches the suffering of Ukraine with sorrow and hope. Compassionate hearts share Ukraine's pain as if it were their own. May this video serve as a requiem for those who never had the chance to say goodbye.
On the television show Spain's Got Talent, sand artist Svetlana Telbukh presented the audience with something truly unique. She took on the challenging task of creating portraits of the judges using only sand—a medium that demands exceptional skill and precision. Every movement was carefully planned and executed.
The audience was left speechless as the judges recognized themselves, and the entire theater rose to its feet in a standing ovation.
A short film by Lana Telbukh, created using the unique technique of sand animation. The music of Valentin Sylvestrov is performed by the renowned Ukrainian violinist Evgenia Sirenko. The film is produced by Sand Elf.
War has become the greatest tragedy of modern Ukraine. The phrase "Goodbye, World!" symbolizes the countless lives lost and the profound suffering endured by the Ukrainian people because of this war.
This project is a synthesis of sand animation, music, and deep emotion.
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, symbolizing the birth of Ukraine, sleeps peacefully in a nest cradled by a crane—a timeless symbol of family, protection, and devotion.
The girl grows into a strong woman, reflecting Ukraine's journey over the past 31 years. The tree, deeply rooted in the earth, symbolizes the strength of the homeland and the genetic heritage of the Ukrainian people.
The woman becomes a mother, embracing her children beneath her wings. She embodies Ukraine itself, carrying its people into the present day. In the flowing sand, Ukraine's most famous landmarks come to life, including Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Independence Square, the Lviv Opera House, and the Mirror Stream Fountain in Kharkiv.
This image of the mother bird symbolizes present-day Ukraine—a nation of strength, resilience, and profound sorrow. Her outstretched wings offer protection, hope, and the promise of a future.
The culmination of the film is the dramatic battle between the crow and the crane—a symbolic confrontation between evil and good.
The culmination of the film is the dramatic battle between the crow and the crane—a symbolic confrontation between evil and good.
I portrayed the tragic events of 2022 through the appearance of a black crow—an embodiment of destruction and aggression—that invades our land with the sole purpose of taking it away. If it cannot possess it, it destroys it so that no one else can.
"GOODBYE, WORLD!" is a synthesis of sand animation, music, and profound emotion. Through the power of art, I seek to tell the story of Ukraine—its greatness, resilience, and unwavering spirit during one of the darkest periods of its history.
The visual rhythm of a wheat field, scarred by shell craters, represents a peaceful land devastated by the storm of war.
I believe this work will inspire audiences to reflect on the strength of the human spirit in times of great adversity.
From 1997 to 1999, the renowned Ukrainian composer Valentin Vasilyovych Sylvestrov composed "Requiem for Larisa. Farewell, O World!" in memory of his late wife, Larisa.
The work was nominated for the Grammy Award in the category Best Classical Contemporary Composition in 2005.
The composition takes on new meaning through the performance of the outstanding Ukrainian violinist Evgenia Sirenko, PhD in Art History and laureate of numerous international competitions.
As a member of the First Violin Section of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Evgenia brings exceptional artistry, refinement, and technical mastery to the performance. Her violin becomes a voice of profound emotion, seamlessly intertwining with the images created in sand.
This film becomes a requiem for all those who lost their lives and for the victims of Russian aggression during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian violinist, member of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
Evgenia Sirenko was born in 1980 in Kyiv, Ukraine. She graduated from the M. V. Lysenko Specialized Music School, where she studied under Tetiana Snizhna. She continued her education at the Ukrainian National Tchaikovsky Academy of Music in the violin class of Professor Anatoliy Bazhenov and completed her postgraduate assistantship in chamber ensemble under Professor Lyudmyla Tsvyrko.
A prizewinner and laureate of numerous international competitions, Evgenia Sirenko holds a PhD in Art Studies. She is a member of the First Violin Section of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and teaches violin at the M. V. Lysenko Kyiv State Music Lyceum.
International Sand Animation Artist
Lana Telbukh was born in 1984 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. She graduated from the Kharkiv State University of Civil Engineering and Architecture.
She gained international recognition through appearances on Ukraine's Got Talent, America's Got Talent, and Spain's Got Talent. Lana is the creator of a patented methodology for teaching sand art and the founder of the Sand Animation Academy in Ukraine, where more than 2,000 children have studied.
Her films have received awards at international film festivals in Los Angeles, New York, Berlin, London, Prague, as well as at WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, one of the world's oldest independent film festivals.
It became a magical journey where every flowing wave of sand captured a fleeting moment, and every line revealed a story. The artist's remarkable ability to move the audience and touch the soul through every frame has left a lasting impression on my heart.
An exclusive unplugged concert featuring Remo Forrer, Switzerland's Eurovision representative, accompanied by a captivating live sand animation performance by Sand Elf – Lana Telbukh.
The audience will experience a unique fusion of live music and sand art. As Remo Forrer performs the evening's emotional repertoire, Lana Telbukh creates breathtaking sand animations in real time, transforming every musical phrase into poetic visual stories before the audience's eyes.
LIVE CONCERT WITH REMO FORRER, SWITZERLAND'S EUROVISION REPRESENTATIVE, AND SAND ANIMATION ARTIST LANA TELBUKH
An exclusive unplugged concert featuring Remo Forrer, Switzerland's Eurovision representative, accompanied by a captivating live sand animation performance by Sand Elf – Lana Telbukh.
The audience will experience a unique fusion of live music and sand art. As Remo Forrer performs the evening's emotional repertoire, Lana Telbukh creates mesmerizing sand animations in real time, transforming every musical phrase into poetic visual stories before the audience's eyes.
The event will be hosted by Andy Zellweger, the well-known morning show presenter from RADIO TOP.
The event is organized by Must HAVE Frauenfeld, a brand dedicated to stylish second-hand fashion and sustainable labels, proving that fashion can be both contemporary and environmentally responsible.
On October 3, 2019, during the live broadcast of the German Unity Day celebrations from Kiel on ZDF, the Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra performed alongside Svetlana Telbukh, who presented a moving sand animation telling the story of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
A short film by Lana Telbukh, created using the unique technique of sand animation. The music of Valentin Sylvestrov is performed by the renowned Ukrainian violinist Evgenia Sirenko. The film is produced by Sand Elf.
War has become the greatest tragedy of modern Ukraine. The phrase "Goodbye, World!" symbolizes the countless lives lost and the profound suffering endured by the Ukrainian people because of this war.
This project is a synthesis of sand animation, music, and deep emotion.
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, symbolizing the birth of Ukraine, sleeps peacefully in a nest cradled by a crane—a timeless symbol of family, protection, and devotion.
The girl grows into a strong woman, reflecting Ukraine's journey over the past 31 years. The tree, deeply rooted in the earth, symbolizes the strength of the homeland and the genetic heritage of the Ukrainian people.
The woman becomes a mother, embracing her children beneath her wings. She embodies Ukraine itself, carrying its people into the present day. In the flowing sand, Ukraine's most famous landmarks come to life, including Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Independence Square, the Lviv Opera House, and the Mirror Stream Fountain in Kharkiv.
This image of the mother bird symbolizes present-day Ukraine—a nation of strength, resilience, and profound sorrow. Her outstretched wings offer protection, hope, and the promise of a future.
The culmination of the film is the dramatic battle between the crow and the crane—a symbolic confrontation between evil and good.
The culmination of the film is the dramatic battle between the crow and the crane—a symbolic confrontation between evil and good.
I portrayed the tragic events of 2022 through the appearance of a black crow—an embodiment of destruction and aggression—that invades our land with the sole purpose of taking it away. If it cannot possess it, it destroys it so that no one else can.
"GOODBYE, WORLD!" is a synthesis of sand animation, music, and profound emotion. Through the power of art, I seek to tell the story of Ukraine—its greatness, resilience, and unwavering spirit during one of the darkest periods of its history.
The visual rhythm of a wheat field, scarred by shell craters, represents a peaceful land devastated by the storm of war.
I believe this work will inspire audiences to reflect on the strength of the human spirit in times of great adversity.
From 1997 to 1999, the renowned Ukrainian composer Valentin Vasilyovych Sylvestrov composed "Requiem for Larisa. Farewell, O World!" in memory of his late wife, Larisa.
The work was nominated for the Grammy Award in the category Best Classical Contemporary Composition in 2005.
The composition takes on new meaning through the performance of the outstanding Ukrainian violinist Evgenia Sirenko, PhD in Art History and laureate of numerous international competitions.
As a member of the First Violin Section of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Evgenia brings exceptional artistry, refinement, and technical mastery to the performance. Her violin becomes a voice of profound emotion, seamlessly intertwining with the images created in sand.
This film becomes a requiem for all those who lost their lives and for the victims of Russian aggression during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian violinist, member of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
Evgenia Sirenko was born in 1980 in Kyiv, Ukraine. She graduated from the M. V. Lysenko Specialized Music School, where she studied under Tetiana Snizhna. She continued her education at the Ukrainian National Tchaikovsky Academy of Music in the violin class of Professor Anatoliy Bazhenov and completed her postgraduate assistantship in chamber ensemble under Professor Lyudmyla Tsvyrko.
A prizewinner and laureate of numerous international competitions, Evgenia Sirenko holds a PhD in Art Studies. She is a member of the First Violin Section of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and teaches violin at the M. V. Lysenko Kyiv State Music Lyceum.
International Sand Animation Artist
Lana Telbukh was born in 1984 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. She graduated from the Kharkiv State University of Civil Engineering and Architecture.
She gained international recognition through appearances on Ukraine's Got Talent, America's Got Talent, and Spain's Got Talent. Lana is the creator of a patented methodology for teaching sand art and the founder of the Sand Animation Academy in Ukraine, where more than 2,000 children have studied.
Her films have received awards at international film festivals in Los Angeles, New York, Berlin, London, Prague, as well as at WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, one of the world's oldest independent film festivals.
It became a magical journey where every flowing wave of sand captured a fleeting moment, and every line revealed a story. The artist's remarkable ability to move the audience and touch the soul through every frame has left a lasting impression on my heart.
The enchanting story of The Little Mermaid comes to life through Svetlana Telbukh's captivating sand animation, created in collaboration with Theater Altenburg Gera. Under the direction of conductor Changmin Park, the orchestra performs Benjamin Britten's The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, accompanied by the narration of Ruth Ohlmann. This performance combines music with visual storytelling, immersing the audience in the Little Mermaid's journey, filled with love and curiosity about the human world.
At the 2nd Philharmonic Concert, "Schumann Open," sand artist Svetlana Telbukh creates her own work of art live during Robert Schumann's Symphony No. 4, enriching the musical experience with a breathtaking sand animation. Two extraordinary art forms meet, inspire one another, and merge into a unique artistic experience.
Travel is an endless book whose pages are written not with ink, but with the winds of distant lands, the whisper of the sand, and the roar of the oceans. The 90-minute sand animation concert, "Sand Stories of the World," takes the audience on a journey across the continents, much like turning the pages of the wonderful book of life.
Over the course of 90 minutes, entire worlds unfold before the audience—from the majestic mountains of Tibet and the endless deserts of the Sahara to the roaring waters of the Amazon and the lights of nighttime Tokyo. Every movement of the sand beneath the artist's hands creates a new chapter in this book, one that can never be completely read.
As Heinrich Heine wrote: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." This concert offers the opportunity to discover many of those pages, to experience the beauty and diversity of our world, brought to life for a fleeting moment yet destined to remain in the heart forever.
On the television show Spain's Got Talent, sand artist Svetlana Telbukh presented the audience with something truly unique. She took on the challenging task of creating portraits of the judges using only sand—a medium that demands exceptional skill and precision. Every movement was carefully planned and executed.
The audience was left speechless as the judges recognized themselves, and the entire theater rose to its feet in a standing ovation.
Today, Ukraine is going through difficult times. Innocent people are losing their lives, and everything that has been built and protected over centuries is being destroyed. The world watches the suffering of Ukraine with sorrow and hope. Compassionate hearts share Ukraine's pain as if it were their own. May this video serve as a requiem for those who never had the chance to say goodbye.
THE SPECTRE’S BRIDE is a gripping ghost story that unfolds between longing, hope, despair, and terror—until the redeeming dawn. An orphaned girl waits for years for the return of her missing beloved, who finally appears to her as a bridegroom from hell, forcing her on a nocturnal ride to the cemetery. Passing decayed marshes, surrounded by will-o’-the-wisps and the howling of wild beasts, they race through the darkness until the first crow of the rooster and the first rays of the sun put an end to the haunting and set the bride free.
Antonín Dvořák’s operatic cantata THE SPECTRE’S BRIDE (1884) is based on the dark legend Svatební košile (literally: “The Wedding Shirts”) by Czech poet Karel Jaromír Erben. For the first time, this powerful work—rarely heard on stage—can now be experienced at Theater Hof in a concert performance featuring soloists, the opera chorus, and the Hof Symphony Orchestra. As a special highlight, internationally acclaimed sand artist Lana (Svetlana) Telbukh will bring the imaginative and emotional world of the legend to life through live sand animation.
Le Landeron — 700 Jahre Geschichte, lebendig erzählt durch Sand, Licht und Stimme.
Am 31. Oktober und 1. November wird ein 45-minütiges poetisches Sandanimations-Konzert zum Jubiläum von Le Landeron präsentiert.
Die Geschichte der Stadt entfaltet sich durch eine eindrucksvolle Verbindung von Live-Sandanimation, Erzählung und Lichtdesign, die ein berührendes visuelles Erlebnis schafft.
Jede Bewegung wird zum Atem der Zeit, jede Linie zur Erinnerung, jeder Lichtfunke zum Ausdruck von Dankbarkeit.
Zwei Aufführungen pro Abend: 18:00 Uhr und 20:00 Uhr
Dauer: ca. 45 Minuten
Ort: Le Landeron, Schweiz
Produktion: Lunidea (lunidea.ch)
Sandanimation: Sand Elf – Lana Telbukh
Erzählung: Victoria Giorgini
Lichtdesign: Illumination SA
August 28, 2025 20:00
Inspiriert von der 70-jährigen Geschichte der Irisgärten entfaltet sich das Stück wie eine lebendige Erzählung: Jede Blume enthüllt ihre Geheimnisse, während sich die Sandbilder in Echtzeit formen und wieder vergehen — begleitet von einfühlsamer Klaviermusik.
Drei Künstler lassen diese Welt entstehen: eine Pianistin, ein Erzähler und die Sandkunst-Virtuosin Lana Telbukh (Sand Elf).
Produktion: Lunidea (lunidea.ch)
Klavier: Carolyn Woods-Jardine
Sandanimation: Sand Elf – Lana Telbukh
Erzählung: Victoria Giorgini
Ein atmosphärischer Abend, an dem Blumen durch Musik, Sand und Worte zu flüstern beginnen.
