April 16 is the World Circus Day. One of the most famous Russian circus dynasties is the Durov family.
April 16 is the World Circus Day. One of the most famous Russian circus dynasties is the Durov family.
In the photo: Vladimir Durov, animal trainer. 1905.
In the photo: Vladimir Durov, animal trainer. 1905.
Vladimir Durov's grandson followed in his grandfather's footsteps and also became an animal trainer.
In the photo: Yury Durov. 1970.
In the photo: Yury Durov. 1970.
Yury Durov ran one of the nation's largest animal circuses. He trained his animals with love and affection and sought from his pets astonishing accuracy in performing tricks.
Natalia Durova was a daughter of Yury. She also became an animal trainer and was the first in the world to train marine mammals: walrus, seals and sea lions. She was also the first to bring together a mixed group of herbivores and predators in a circus show.
The famous Zapashny circus dynasty engaged in training, daunting, acrobatics, gymnastics.
In the photo: Valter Zapashny training a tiger. 1967.
In the photo: Valter Zapashny training a tiger. 1967.
Brothers Valter and Mstislav concentrated on animal training, which they considered the greatest circus art.
In the photo: Mstislav and Dolores Zapashny. 1982.
In the photo: Mstislav and Dolores Zapashny. 1982.
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© RIA Novosti . Ekaterina Chesnokova
Edgar and Askold Zapashny, Valter's sons, became tigers' trainers. However, they also work with other animals such as monkeys and horses. Mstislav's son Mstislav also continued the dynasty.
In the photo: Edgar and Askold Zapashny
In the photo: Edgar and Askold Zapashny
The Kio family is the most famous Russian circus dynasty of magicians.
In the photo: magician Emil Kio in the Moscow circus. 1967
In the photo: magician Emil Kio in the Moscow circus. 1967
A son of Emil Kio, also Emil, always wanted to become a magician as his father but Emil the elder insisted his son should go to a university. However, a passion to magic prevailed, and he returned to circus.
Igor Kio is the only magician in the world who won an Oscar circus award in Belgium.
Another animal trainer Valentin Filatov was also raised in a circus family.
In the photo: Valentin Filatov with his pet on the Moscow circus' arena. 1975
In the photo: Valentin Filatov with his pet on the Moscow circus' arena. 1975
Famous rider Mukhtarbek Kantemirov, the head of the riding theater "Kaskader" and a founder of stuntman's horse theater, is a son of Ali-Bek Kantemirov, the founder of a dynasty of circus horse riders.
