Alexander Dimitrov Balkanski
Alexander Dimitrov Balkanski was born on 8 August 1942 in Pleven, Bulgaria. Through his mother, Lola Orlando Malevolti, one of the great circus artists of her generation, he is of Italian descent.
He took his first steps in the circus ring at an early age and made his professional debut as a circus artist at the age of seven and a half at Circus Bulgaria, under the guidance of both his parents, who were themselves distinguished circus performers.
In 1950, he lost his father and was left to grow up without him.
Early Career and National Recognition
At both the First and Second Bulgarian Circus Festivals, Alexander Balkanski was awarded the First Prize – Laureate.
At the Second Bulgarian Circus Festival, he also received the honorary title of Universal Circus Artist, in recognition of his exceptional versatility across multiple circus disciplines.
During the same year, he received his first award from the Union of Bulgarian Actors.
In 1978, he was awarded the Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius – Second Class.
In 1980, he was granted the honorary title of Merited Artist, one of Bulgaria’s highest artistic distinctions at the time.
In 1981, he received the Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius – First Class.
International Awards
In 1983, at the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival, the Balkanski Acrobatic Troupe, under his direction, received the prestigious Silver Clown Award, one of the highest honours in the international circus world.
During the same year, Alexander Balkanski received, for the second time, an award from the Union of Bulgarian Actors.
In 1984, he was awarded the commemorative medal “40 Years of the Socialist Revolution.”
In 1985, he received the commemorative medal “1300 Years of Bulgaria.”
In 1986, the entire Balkanski family was honoured by the Main Directorate of Construction Troops (GUSV) with medals and commemorative watches bearing the inscription “For Heroism”, in recognition of their courageous rescue of five people injured following the collapse of a 50-metre tower crane near the District Hospital in Sofia.
In 1987, as leader of the Balkanski Acrobatic Troupe, he received the Silver Plate Award from the City of Siena, Italy, for “The World’s Best Acrobatic Act.”
The Wheel of Death and Circus Krone
One of the greatest achievements of Alexander Balkanski’s artistic career was his work as founder of the legendary circus attraction “The Wheel of Death” and leader of the Balkanski Acrobatic Troupe.
An outstanding milestone in his career was the troupe’s successful participation for 15 consecutive years in the programme of Circus Krone, the world’s largest travelling traditional circus, based in Bavaria, Germany.
Circus Balkanski
In 1993, Alexander Balkanski began preparations for the establishment of Circus Balkanski.
On 12 October 2000, the official premiere of Circus Balkanski took place in the Mladost district of Sofia.
In 2001, he received the prestigious Icarus Award from the Union of Bulgarian Actors for “The Greatest Investment in Culture”, recognising his outstanding contribution to the development of Bulgarian circus arts.
In 2003 and 2007, the Balkanski Troupe received the Icarus Award for its acclaimed production “Acrobatics on Stilts and Trampolines.”
Academic Recognition and Professional Leadership
In 2006, Alexander Balkanski was honoured by the Convention of Experts with the title “Expert of the Highest Class in Circus Arts”, in recognition of his outstanding professionalism and lifelong contribution to the development of circus arts.
In 2012, he was elected a member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Arts (BASA) and was awarded the honorary title of Academician.
Since 2014, Academician Alexander Balkanski has served as Director of the Institute of Circus Arts at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Arts.
Since 2012, he has also served as Chairman of the Circus Artists Guild within the Union of Bulgarian Actors, and in 2013 he became a member of the Union’s Board of Directors.
On 16 April 2016, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Arts awarded Circus Balkanski, under his leadership, the prestigious title of “Academic Circus.”
Performances Before World Leaders and Royal Families
Throughout his remarkable international career, Alexander Balkanski has performed before numerous heads of state, members of royal families and world leaders, including:
- Andreas Papandreou (1965)
- Mikis Theodorakis (1965)
- David Ben-Gurion (1966)
- Golda Meir (1966)
- Todor Zhivkov (1964, 1969, 1970, 1976 and 1985)
- Leonid Brezhnev (1969)
- The Queen of Denmark (1982)
- The Queen of Sweden (1982)
- The Queen of the Netherlands (1983)
- Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (1983)
- His Serene Highness Prince Rainier III of Monaco (1980 and 1983)
- President Richard Nixon of the United States (1971)
- Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu (2004)
Together with the Balkanski Acrobatic Troupe, he also performed on three occasions before Pope John Paul II during official audiences at the Vatican.
Madison Square Garden
During his tour of the United States in the early 1970s, Alexander Balkanski and his wife, Maria Balkanska, presented their signature Aerial Trapeze Act at the world-famous Madison Square Garden in New York.
Over the course of the tour, they performed this act an extraordinary 350 times, a remarkable achievement in the history of international circus performance.
International Honours
In 2004, Alexander Balkanski was named an Honorary Citizen of Jerusalem and received the city’s prestigious honorary distinction, the Golden Lion.
On 24 May 2015, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rosen Plevneliev, awarded Academician Alexander Balkanski the Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius with Collar, one of Bulgaria’s highest state honours, in recognition of his 65 years of outstanding contribution to circus arts.
On 22 April 2017, he received the Shofar Award from the Jewish Community in Bulgaria in recognition of the charitable work carried out by Circus Balkanski during its tours in Israel in 2003 and 2004.
Charitable Activities
Since its establishment, Academic Circus Balkanski has carried out extensive charitable initiatives in Bulgaria and abroad for more than 21 years, supporting socially disadvantaged groups, including children, people with disabilities and elderly people.
Through numerous charity performances and social initiatives, the circus has remained committed to making the art of circus accessible to those who need it most.
Presidential Honour
On 22 December 2020, Academician Alexander Balkanski was awarded the Honorary Badge of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria by President Rumen Radev, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the development and international promotion of Bulgarian circus arts.
Today
Today, Academician Alexander Balkanski is recognised as one of the most internationally acclaimed Bulgarian circus artists of all time.
He is acknowledged as one of the world’s leading experts in five of the seven major circus disciplines, a distinction achieved through decades of artistic excellence, innovation and international success.
He is fluent in seven foreign languages:
- Italian
- English
- Russian
- German
- Romanian
- Polish
- Greek
Family
Alexander Balkanski is the father of two sons, Alexander Balkanski Jr. and Nikolay Balkanski, both accomplished circus artists, acrobats and directors of Academic Circus Balkanski, serving respectively as Artistic Director and Technical Director.
He is also the proud grandfather of five grandchildren, three of whom have already made their debut in the circus ring, continuing the family tradition as the next generation of the Balkanski circus dynasty.