Aleksandеr Aleksandrov Balkanski
Aleksandеr Aleksandrov Balkanski was born on 14 August 1964 in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Through his grandmother, the renowned circus artist Lola Orlando Malevolti, he is of Italian descent.
He spent his childhood in Plovdiv, where he lived at 92 Han Asparuh Street, behind the Military Hospital, until the age of twelve. During this period, he was raised by Mrs. Milena Katsarova, owner of Circus Europa in Plovdiv and sister of his grandmother.
Aleksandеr made his professional debut as a circus artist and equilibrist at the age of 13, in September 1976, at the Sofia State Circus. Under the guidance of his father—the legendary Bulgarian circus artist Academician Aleksandеr Balkanski—and his famous grandmother, he performed in the circus act “Perch Poles.”
Early International Success
In 1983, at the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival, the Balkanski Acrobatic Troupe, in which he performed as an acrobat, received the prestigious Silver Clown Award for the act “Acrobatics on Trampolines and Stilts.”
In 1986, together with his brother and parents, he was awarded medals and commemorative watches by the Main Directorate of Construction Troops (GUSV) bearing the inscription “For Civil Courage”, in recognition of their active participation in rescuing five people injured after the collapse of a 50-metre tower crane near the District Hospital in Sofia.
In 1987, as the leading performer of the Balkanski Acrobatic Troupe, he received the Silver Plate Award from the City of Siena, Italy, for “The World’s Best Acrobatic Act.”
In 1988, together with his brother, he was awarded the First Class “Mirage” Order by the Commander-in-Chief of the Guynemer Air Force Academy in Lyon, France, for his performance in the extreme circus attraction “The Wheel of Death.”
Circus Balkanski
In 1993, Aleksandеr 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. From its very beginning, Aleksandеr Balkanski Jr. assumed the position of Artistic Director.
In 2001, together with his brother, he received the prestigious Icarus Award from the Union of Bulgarian Actors for his performance in the extreme circus attraction “The Wheel of Death.” In the same year, the Balkanski family also received a special Icarus Award for “The Greatest Investment in the Arts.”
In 2003 and 2007, together with the Balkanski Troupe, he was awarded the Icarus Award by the Union of Bulgarian Actors for the large-scale production “Acrobatics on Stilts and Trampolines.”
He was the first Bulgarian acrobat to successfully perform a somersault from a trampoline using one stilt, and subsequently two stilts.
Academic Circus Balkanski and International Career
On 16 April 2016, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Arts (BASA) awarded Circus Balkanski, under the artistic direction of Aleksandеr Balkanski Jr., the prestigious title of “Academic Circus.”
The greatest achievement of his artistic career is his long-standing participation in the world’s most dangerous circus attraction — “The Wheel of Death.” The original version of this apparatus was created by his father, Academician Aleksandеr Balkanski, making it the first of its kind in the world.
Aleksandеr Balkanski Jr. is also the only performer in the world to execute the extreme stunt of walking on stilts along the outside of the rotating Wheel of Death—a feat that has never been successfully repeated by another artist.
The world premiere of this extraordinary act took place on 3 March 1986 beneath the big top of Circus Krone, Bavaria, Germany, the largest travelling traditional circus in Europe.
Another remarkable achievement is his successful participation in the programme of Circus Krone for 15 consecutive years, an exceptional accomplishment in the history of the international circus industry.
Performances Before Royal Families and World Leaders
Throughout his international career, Aleksandar Balkanski has performed before numerous members of royal families and world leaders, including:
- The Queen of Denmark and 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 (1983);
- The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu (2004).
Together with his father’s Balkanski Acrobatic Troupe, he also performed on three occasions before Pope John Paul II during official audiences at the Vatican.
International Circus Management
While working in North America with the renowned Tarzan Zerbini Circus, one of the continent’s largest travelling big-top circuses, Aleksandеr Balkanski gained extensive experience in every aspect of the international circus business, serving as Artistic Director, Manager, and Technical Director.
Recognised internationally as a leading circus expert, he has been invited as a specialist in the technical production of major entertainment events, collaborating with world-renowned organisations, including:
- Cavalia, the internationally acclaimed Canadian equestrian spectacular;
- We Goose, a major musical festival in Las Vegas;
- The Golden Show of Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Together with his wife, he is also the co-founder of the well-known Retired Circus Animals Zoo in the State of Florida, dedicated to the care and welfare of retired performing animals.
Charitable Activities
Since the establishment of Academic Circus Balkanski, its management has been actively engaged in large-scale charitable initiatives throughout Bulgaria, including the city of Plovdiv.
For more than 20 years, these initiatives have supported socially disadvantaged groups, including children, people with disabilities, and elderly people.
The original idea and initiative for this charitable work came from Aleksandеr Balkanski Jr.
Languages and Family
Aleksandеr Balkanski is fluent in six foreign languages:
- Italian
- English
- Russian
- German
- Spanish
- Polish
He is the father of two sons, Aleksandеr and Claudio, who are actively involved in the family circus business in the United States.
Awards and Recognition
Together with his brother and his wife, Aleksandar Balkanski is the recipient of the “Golden Age – Star” Award, presented by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria, in recognition of the outstanding performance of the extreme circus attraction “The Wheel of Death.”
Today, in addition to serving as Artistic Director of Academic Circus Balkanski, Mr. Aleksandеr Balkanski Jr. is also the Master of Ceremonies (Ringmaster) of the circus performances, which are directed by his father, Academician Aleksandеr Balkanski.
Artistic Career
During his nearly 50-year artistic career, under the direction of Academician Aleksandеr Balkanski, he has performed in the following circus acts:
Perch Poles
1976 – 1997
High Wire
1980 – 1981
Acrobatics on Stilts and Trampolines
1982 – 2002
Shari-Vari
1982 – 2002
The Wheel of Death
1986 – 2002
Present Position
Today, Aleksandеr Balkanski Jr. serves as the Artistic Director and Ringmaster of Academic Circus Balkanski, continuing the traditions of one of Europe’s most distinguished circus families while preserving and developing the artistic legacy established by Academician Aleksandеr Balkanski.