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Edgard Zapashny — 50: how a representative of a legendary dynasty became a circus star
Edgard Zapashny is one of the most famous representatives of Russian circus art, a third—generation circus trainer and general director of the Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue. His name is known far beyond the circus arena: he participates in television projects, engages in public activities and continues the traditions laid down by his great-grandfather. By the 50th anniversary of the artist, Izvestia recalls his biography, key achievements and the most notable projects.
Edgard Zapashny: childhood and the famous circus dynasty
Edgard Zapashny was born on July 11, 1976 in Yalta into a family of circus performers. His father is the legendary trainer Walter Zapashny, People's Artist of the USSR, and his mother is Tatiana Zapashnaya. His parents met in Kalinin (now Tver), where Walter came on tour. While walking around the city, he met his future wife and invited her to the circus.
Walter Zapashny
Tatiana was 19 years old at the time, Walter was 47. Their relationship wasn't easy. He was much older and already married. To win the girl's attention, the trainer showed perseverance and creativity, including organizing a meeting at the institute where she studied, and appeared there with a tiger. The efforts of the famous trainer were not in vain, and Tatiana reciprocated his love.
After Walter Zapashny's divorce, he and Tatiana began to live together, but the official marriage was formalized after the birth of the children. After her marriage, Tatiana began performing with her husband. They lived together for more than 30 years and raised three children. Edgard has a younger brother, Askold, and a half-sister, Maritza, from her father's first marriage, who also became a circus performer.
The future trainer's childhood was spent in constant travel and backstage circus life. From an early age, he watched rehearsals and, together with his brother, mastered the basics of training. Zapashny later admitted that he did not choose a profession because he grew up in the circus and it was a natural environment for him.
The Zapashny dynasty has had several generations of artists and is considered one of the most famous in Russia. Its founder was Mikhail Zapashny, who in his youth worked as a loader in the port of Yeysk. His strength was noticed by wrestler Ivan Poddubny, who advised the young man to try himself in the arena. At first, Zapashny performed in the genre of French wrestling, then moved on to power acrobatics.
Mstislav Zapashny
Mikhail Zapashny's wife was circus performer Lydia Thompson, a equestrian and gymnast, the daughter of Carl Thompson, a clown known by his stage name Milton. Five children grew up in their family — Sergey, Walter, Anna, Mstislav and Igor. Each of them connected his life with the circus and tried himself in different genres — from clowning to training, and in 1954 they presented a joint number "Acrobats-voltigeurs".
Later, they went their separate ways. Walter Zapashny became one of the most famous predator trainers, the first to ride a lion and create an attraction "Among predators". Mstislav Zapashny received a directing education at GITIS, becoming the author of large-scale productions, including Elephants and Tigers, for which he was awarded a State Prize, and also headed Rosgoscirk in 2003-2009.
How did Edgard Zapashny's career begin?
Already in their teens, Edgard and Askold began performing in the arena. Their parents were strict about their upbringing and education, as working with predators required not only physical fitness, but also psychological stability and discipline. As Zapashny noted, "you can't work carelessly in a circus, because animals feel any weakness."
His professional career began in the 1990s. Together with his brother, Edgard created his own performance with predators, which quickly attracted the attention of viewers and experts. The brothers continued their father's work, but at the same time sought to bring new ideas and modern elements of the show to the circus.
At the beginning of their career, Zapashny toured extensively abroad. They have performed in China, Europe and other countries, gaining experience in the international arena.
The brothers paid special attention to safety and humane treatment of animals. Zapashny emphasized that training is based on trust, not cruelty. According to him, "the main task is to establish contact with the animal, not to suppress it."
By the mid-2000s, Edgard Zapashny had become one of the leading Russian circus performers. His rooms were distinguished by their complexity and entertainment. Gradually, he began to prove himself not only as an artist, but also as a director and organizer of circus performances. Later, the creation of large-scale circus shows became the calling card of the trainer.
The most striking projects and achievements of Edgard Zapashny
In 2003, together with his brother, Edgard founded the Zapashny Brothers Circus and staged a number of projects that became widely known. Among them are the programs "Camelot", "Colosseum", "Sadko", combining circus art, theatrical elements and modern technologies.
Edgard and Askold Zapashny presented the new show "Sadko"
The Zapashny brothers are listed twice in the Guinness Book of Records. In 2006, they set a record for the longest lion jump with a human on its back. In 2011, their achievement was associated with the stunt "the tallest column of three people on a running pair of horses," which also received international recognition. The artist himself emphasized that "behind every beautiful trick there are years of rehearsals and trust between man and animal."
In 2012, Edgard Zapashny was appointed General Director of the Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue. In this position, he took up the modernization of the site and the development of new presentation formats. Under his leadership, the circus began to actively use modern technologies, which made it possible to make the show more ambitious and spectacular.
In addition to creative and administrative work, Zapashny is active in public activities. He is a member of the public council of the State Duma Committee on Culture, consistently advocates the preservation of the traditional circus with the participation of animals and participates in professional discussions on the development of the industry.
Over the years of his career, the artist has received many state and professional awards. He holds the title of People's Artist of Russia, is a laureate of a number of awards and has been repeatedly recognized for his contribution to the development of Russian circus art. Among his awards are the Order of Friendship and the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree.
Personal life and family of Edgard Zapashny
Edgard Zapashny's personal life remained out of public view for a long time. The actor himself admitted in an interview that he may subconsciously avoid questions about marriage. He also said that he wanted to see a woman next to him who did not seek publicity, so that the house would become a "safe haven" for him.
Over the years, the trainer was in a relationship, but was not officially married. He had an affair with circus performer Elena Petrikova — they lived together for about 13 years. Later, he lived with fitness instructor Olga Denisova. Two daughters, Stefania and Gloria, were born in this union.
Later, he met with Yaroslavna Demeshko, an artist of the Bolshoi Moscow Circus, who gave birth to his son Daniel. The couple separated in 2021, but the former lovers have maintained a good relationship.
The artist actively participates in the upbringing of children and tries to spend as much time with them as possible. In an interview, he noted that he tries to convey to children the same values that he received from his parents.
"I was raised in respect for work and responsibility, and I want my children to grow up with the same principles," he emphasized.
Interesting facts about Edgard Zapashny on his 50th birthday
Edgard Zapashny is best known for his work with predatory animals. In circus performances, he performs complex tricks with tigers and lions, requiring high training and full concentration. Along with his creative activity, the artist actively participates in public and media life.
Since 2013, Zapashny has been the general producer and presenter of the Idol World Circus Art Festival, which takes place annually in Moscow. The project has become one of the key international venues for contemporary circus art.
In addition, he regularly appears in TV projects. Over the years, he participated in the shows "King of the Ring", "Big Race", and also hosted the program "Legends of the Circus with Edgard Zapashny" on the Zvezda TV channel. A separate area of his work was the production project — the comedy series "Circus!" for the CTC TV channel.
In addition, he participated in the development of UFO perfumes, opened two recording studios and, together with his brother, wrote several books — "Intrigue", "How we train dogs", "Camelot. Fragments of Legends" and "My Tiger Friends". And in 2024, the Zapashny brothers released their first autobiography, Understand the Predator.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
