M | Я

M | Я is an abstract dance dialogue about peace, violence, and the relationship between the individual and the collective. The title is of Slavic origin and simultaneously means peace and world; the mirrored “Я” represents the self in the Cyrillic alphabet. Already in its name, the central questions of the work are condensed: Where does peace begin? And where does it end?

M | Я explores how global conflicts seep into personal attitudes, bodies, and relationships. Themes such as upbringing, propaganda, the loss of dialogue, and inner fragmentation are addressed alongside the possibilities of understanding and responsibility. In intense physical proximity, the work unfolds a choreographic engagement with violence as a learned pattern—and with peace as an active, fragile process.

Rather than understanding peace as the mere absence of war, M | Я conceives it as a conscious practice. The performance invites audiences to question their own beliefs, perceptions, and prejudices—and to reflect on individual responsibility within the social fabric.

Where Does Peace Begin? M | Я between Body, Conflict, and Responsibility

SoBo Productions is a contemporary dance company based in Mannheim, founded and led by Darja Reznikova. The company’s works emerge from a transdisciplinary practice in which movement, voice, sound and space are inseparably intertwined. At its core lies Reznikova’s ongoing research into the so-called SoundBody Theory, which understands the body as a holistic system of resonance.

Sade Mamedova is a freelance performer, choreographer and teacher based in Mannheim. She has received awards at renowned competitions and festivals for her dance and choreography. She teaches, leads workshops, creates and collaborates on various artistic projects in Germany and internationally.

M | Я received the Awarded Duo Prize at the SoloDuo Festival 2025 in Cologne and was selected by the international jury of the Aerowaves Festival 2026 as one of 56 recommended productions.

Information to language

Three languages are spoken in the performance: Russian, German and English. These are translated into the other two languages through surtitles.

Running time:

about 60 minutes

Team:

• Concept: Darja Reznikova
• Choreography: Darja Reznikova & Sade Mamedova (in collaboration with the dancers)
• Dance / Performance: Doris Lingenau, Gleb Bondarev
• Music / Voice Composition: Sabio Janiak
• Dramaturgical Assistant: Angela Wendt
• Lighting / Sound: Stefan Grießhaber
• Costume Design: Natalia Moskvychova
• Set Design: Elena Nekrasova

Credits: