Aim

Bring M | Я (MIR) to Edinburgh Fringe 2026 - a contemporary dance work by Darja Reznikova & Sade Mamedova, dismantling the notion of peace!

M | Я (pronounced "MIR") derives from the Slavic word meaning both "peace" and "world." The mirror-inverted R references the final letter of the Cyrillic alphabet and signifies "I." This interplay reflects the central theme of the project: exploring the meaning of peace not only as a political concept but as a deeply personal and collective responsibility.

Through movement, dialogue, and performance, M | Я examines how global conflicts shape our everyday lives, relationships, identities, and perceptions of others. It investigates the influence of education, propaganda, and cultural narratives, while questioning how inner conflicts and inherited beliefs affect our ability to coexist. The work seeks both to expose the roots of violence and division and to explore pathways toward understanding, empathy, and reconciliation.

At its core, the project asks: What shapes our beliefs and worldview? How do we relate to those we perceive as different from ourselves? What responsibility do we carry in creating peaceful coexistence? And where does peace truly begin?

The social sustainability of M | Я lies in its invitation for audiences to reflect on their own assumptions, boundaries, and encounters with others. By fostering critical reflection and dialogue, the project encourages a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world we inhabit together.

The artistic quality and relevance of the work have already been recognized internationally. M | Я received the Awarded Duo Prize at the SoloDuo Festival 2025 in Cologne, won the Jury Prize at the 3TageFrei Festival 2026 in Stuttgart, and was selected by the international jury of Aerowaves 2026 as one of 56 recommended productions across Europe.

We created M | Я because the questions it raises are no longer distant political concerns—they are part of our daily reality. As artists living and working in a time marked by war, polarization, and growing social fragmentation, we felt an urgent need to examine how large-scale conflicts affect our personal lives, relationships, and sense of identity.

Rather than offering simple answers, the work creates space for reflection. It invites audiences to consider the stories they inherit, the borders they draw, the people they include, and those they exclude. We believe that peace is more than the absence of war; it is an active practice that begins in our interactions with ourselves and with others.

Bringing M | Я to Edonburgh Fringe would allow us to share this conversation with a wider audience and continue building connections through art. Your support will directly help us cover travel costs, venue expenses, and artist fees, making it possible for this award-winning production to reach new communities and spark meaningful dialogue about coexistence, empathy, and peace.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 17th August 2026 at 9:56am