Oleg Popov
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Oleg Konstantinovich Popov (Russian: Олег Константинович Попов) is an extremely famous Russian clown and circus artist. Popov is also called the "Sunshine clown".
He was born on July 31, 1930 in Moscow as the son of a clock-maker. He has studied elements of acrobatia, juggling and other circus skills in his youth. In 1949 he finished the Russian circus school in Moscow and started his career in the Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard. Six years later, he became the first clown from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to perform in the Western world. In 1969 he was honored with the title of the "People's Artist of the USSR". Popov's fame extended to Melbourne Australia where he was named King of Moomba (1971).[1].
[edit] Career
He performed as clown, a mime, a tightrope walker, and a juggler. In 1981 he won the Oscar of the clown world: The Golden Clown of Monte Carlo. His role as a clown follows the tradition of the Russian "Ivanushka", who fools other people and who is teased himself.
Later he has specialized in entertaining people as The Sunshine Clown, performing his art world wide and without any other circus requisite. His face painting is unique, and patented.
He was one of the most popular clowns in the Soviet Union during the second half of the 20th century. His idols include Charlie Chaplin and Heinz Rühmann, a German actor.
In 2006, Oleg Popov was invited to perform at the 30th anniversary of the International Festival of the Circus at Monte Carlo; at 75 years of age, he still managed to inspire a standing ovation.
[edit] References
- ^ Craig Bellamy, Gordon Chisholm, Hilary Eriksen (17 Feb 2006) Moomba: A festival for the people.: http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/PDFs/Moomba/History%20of%20Moomba.pdf PDF pp 17-22
[edit] External links
- (Russian) Article about Popov in Argumenty i fakty, May 25, 2006 Part I Part II.
