FactualOn an initiative of the Maine-et-Loire department, Ukrainian artists in exile came together to create “Zirka! », a circus performance that aims to raise awareness against the invasion of their country by Russia.
Serhii Koblykov enters the scene with a blissful smile, a globe resting on the tip of his index finger. The clown pulls the planet out of its orbit, throws it into the air, juggles with it, broods it with caresses. The nod to Dictator, of Charlie Chaplin, is absolutely not fortuitous here. The show is called Zirka! (“star”, in Ukrainian) and brings together in Angers Ukrainian acrobats, jugglers, contortionists and trapeze artists from all over Europe.
“I have dedicated my whole life to culture and art. It’s a world so far removed from war. Even for a good cause, I can’t see myself killing someone. » Vyacheslav Iroshnikov, Ukrainian refugee
The idea germinated in the mind of Frédéric Couturier, director of culture and heritage for the Maine-et-Loire departmental council. In March, he programmed Serhii’s brother, Aleksandr Koblykov. This juggling ace was trained at the kyiv school and has lived in France for three years. “I asked him if he had any circus friends in the galley. I suggested that we bring them to Angers to put on a show. He posted a message on Facebook and they replied from all over Europe, Budapest, Berlin or kyiv. Some were trying to flee Ukraine, others were on tour when the war broke out and could no longer return home. »
A 500-seat marquee has been erected near the Terra Botanica park, owned by the department. This is where this unique and solidarity show is played until June 5, repeated in barely a month by a 100% Ukrainian cast. “We allow them to have a project and fight with poetry and art to raise public awareness”, continues Frederic Couturier. The spectators pay 10, 15 or 20 euros, according to their possibilities. All profits will be donated to NGOs working in Ukraine.
“Eleven upset bodies”
Among the artists, word of mouth worked perfectly. Tamila Perevarucha, a 30-year-old elastic brunette, acrobat and trapeze artist, “juggles” with her two daughters, Esmira (4 years old) and Zlata (9 months), between two rehearsals. The eldest gallops carefree around the marquee, but she is still nursing the little one. The father, Vyacheslav Iroshnikov, known as “Slava”, 40 years old, is there too.
When the war broke out, they all fled kyiv together via Hungary. Since they arrived in Angers, everything is better. “We no longer feel like refugees, we are like before,” he said. The couple formed in Stuttgart (Germany) a few years earlier. She was suspended in the void, forming a multi-award winning acrobatic duo with her brother. “What is happening here is a good example for all those who stayed in Ukraine and who are afraid to leave,” says Tamila Perevarucha. “I have dedicated my whole life to culture and art. It’s a world so far removed from war. Even for a good cause, I don’t see myself killing someone.” adds his companion.
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