Nearly every day, the bells of St. Michael’s Monastery in Kyiv toll for another life lost. Set against the backdrop of golden domes and blue walls, this sacred site has become more than just a place of worship—it stands as a powerful symbol of Ukraine’s resilience and defiance in the face of devastation. The funerals held here are not just private farewells; they are public ceremonies of collective grief, endurance, and national identity.

Requiem is a solemn homage to those who have paid the ultimate price in Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine. Through movement and silence, the work channels the sorrow, dignity, and unbreakable spirit of a nation under siege. It honors not only the fallen, but also the families, communities, and generations forever changed by this aggression.

Set in the shadow of ongoing violence, Requiem does not offer closure—it offers remembrance. It invites audiences to bear witness, to feel the weight of loss, and to reflect on the human cost of war. In doing so, it becomes both an act of mourning and a gesture of defiance, echoing the strength embodied by places like St. Michael’s and the people it serves.