The anniversary production brought together 44 artists from 19 countries, representing a fascinating variety of artistic disciplines and traditions. Over the course of several weeks, the historic theatre became a meeting place for artists from around the world — with acrobatics, music, dance, comedy, visual performances and extraordinary stage acts coming together in one international production.
The 2024 season included 51 sold-out shows and welcomed more than 35,000 spectators. Night after night, the Jugendstil-Theater was filled with an incredible atmosphere, created not only by the performances on stage, but also by the energy and connection between the artists and the audience.
For me, being part of this production was a truly special experience. Sharing the stage with such a diverse international cast, becoming part of a large-scale theatre production and presenting my sand art to thousands of spectators over the course of the season made this project particularly memorable.
The story follows the different stages of a human life, with each image created live in sand and continuously transforming into the next. Nothing remains still for long: one scene disappears to give way to another, just as moments, years and people pass through our lives. At the heart of the story is a simple reminder of what truly matters — to value the time we are given and not to postpone love.
On the large theatre screen, the audience could follow every movement of the sand as the story unfolded live on stage. The German press later described the performance as a “Hommage an die Liebe” — a homage to love, highlighting its poetic atmosphere and the way an entire life seemed to emerge from sand before the audience’s eyes.
One of my most beautiful memories from this project was performing together with Simone Sommerland (Simone Stiers).
The idea came from Simone herself. She suggested adding live vocals to the final part of my sand art performance — and something very special happened on stage.
As the images in sand continuously transformed into one another, Simone’s voice became part of the story. Music and visual art blended naturally, creating a deeply emotional atmosphere that touched both of us and the audience.
The OVAG Varieté was not only about the performances on stage. During our time in Bad Nauheim, the international cast was also welcomed at the town hall by Mayor Klaus Kreß.
Artists from 19 different countries came together for this special reception — another beautiful reflection of the international spirit of the production.
The moment was featured in the local press under the headline “19 Nationen bei Empfang im Rathaus” — “19 Nations at the Town Hall Reception.”
A Special Chapter in My Journey
Looking back, the 20th International OVAG Varieté remains a very special chapter in my journey as a sand artist.
51 sold-out shows, more than 35,000 spectators, artists from around the world — and countless moments on and behind the stage that I will always remember.
I am grateful to have been part of this extraordinary production and to have shared my sand art with the OVAG audience night after night.
POLINA SAYFUDINOVA
Berlin, Germany
Email: sandart.linalii@gmail.com
+49 15901064753
