Performed by Oleksiy Mruz and directed by Aljoscha at the State Circus of Lviv, Ukraine.
Will their son, husband, and father be taken to the trenches? Will he suffer from attacking drones and missiles? Could he be injured or killed? These questions plague the family as they sit quietly in the empty arena.
War’s brutal realities have triggered prolonged stress for many Ukrainians. War-induced depression leads to neuroinflammation, further deteriorating mental health. This perpetuates fear and anxiety, creating a relentless cycle of despair.
The clown enters the desolate space, burdened by the news of the war. The absence of an audience accentuates his despair, enveloping him and amplifying his struggles. As he tries to perform, nothing goes well; the acts lack joy, and even the bioisms fail to bring happiness, reflecting his deep psychological damage.
He lies down, seemingly aging years in minutes, the weight of his struggles pressing heavily.
His family mourns for the countless lives lost or injured.
The clown’s final act is exiting the arena, visibly aged, mourning shattered hopes.
