Circus Life Media continues to cover the latest circus developments, both in Ukraine and around the world. Our featured guest, Anna Demeter, hailing from Hungary, is an accomplished aerial gymnast who has captivated audiences across Europe and South America. Her breathtaking triple twist on the cloud swing has left thousands of spectators in awe.
Anna’s journey into the circus world is truly exceptional. She embarked on her circus career later than most, and it all began at the Ukrainian festival in Dnipro city. Discover Anna’s unique story in our exclusive interview!
Hello, Anna. Our first question is aimed at our Ukrainian audience and the general public who will be reading our interview. Could you please introduce yourself and provide some insight into the genre you specialize in? Tell us about your circus background and experience.
I started my journey late at the age of 20. I was not a gymnast and I do not come from a circus family. I just worked in the circus, fell in love with art and wanted to do it. That’s why I entered a circus school in Budapest, my teacher Olga Simet was half-Ukrainian, from Donetsk.
She taught me cloud swing, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, we were short on time. I had eight months to create the act, so I asked Kristian Kristof for help. You may know him because he also helps Ukrainian artists. Christian created for me an act that we called Angel Heart, to the music of the band Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody. After that, I passed the exam at the Budapest Circus, and my first festival was held in Dnipro (Ukraine) in 2021.
It was the 11th Youth Circus Festival. It was very interesting, we were passing through Kyiv, where our good friends Vladyslav Kornienko (Director of the National Circus of Ukraine, Kyiv – ed.) and his wife Olena showed us the National Circus. Then we went to Odesa (Ukraine), and from there to Dnipro. It was a long way, but we still stopped to eat borscht (traditional Ukrainian soup – ed.).
I and three other Hungarian artists had a great time in Dnipro. My coach and Kristian Kristof were also with us. I met many friends, whom I later saw at the festival in Budapest. For example, Dima Bakhtin, who is a Ukrainian juggler. Later, I performed in the Richter Florian circus, which also featured acrobats from Ukraine, and after that, I did an eight-month tour with the Arlette-Gruss travelling circus. We had dancers from Ukraine there, we still keep in touch. I also participated in the summer show in Peru this year and performed in Holland and France. As you can see, I’m new to the circus community, but I’m doing my best.
You’ve had the opportunity to perform in various shows and interact with numerous Ukrainian artists. Could you share your thoughts on your experiences with them and your impressions of our school? What inspired your decision to showcase your art here in Dnipro, Ukraine?
Frankly, I have always admired Ukrainian artists, they work very well. They have good lines and strong charisma in the arena. For some time I planned to go to study at the Kyiv Circus Academy, but the coronavirus pandemic started at that time. I even discussed the learning process and other details with some teachers. But in the end, I managed to get some Ukrainian training from my trainer in Hungary.
Also, when I work together with Ukrainian artists, I like to learn from them. My current dance coach Gulnara Savenko is from Kyiv Academy. She came to Budapest at the beginning of the full-scale war, and we became good friends. Therefore, yes, I love the atmosphere on the stage created by Ukrainians. They usually have a lot of energy.
You also said your major is cloud swing. Why have you chosen this requisite?
Yes, at first I worked with a Cor de Parel. This is a rope that is attached to the dome and you can do tricks on it. But I wanted to show something more unique, and cloud swing is not very common in Europe. When I work on it, I feel like I’m flying, and I can also do unusual tricks.
That triple twist we saw in the video of your performance, is it unique? How many people in Europe can do it?
As far as I know, there is not a single person who does it on a cloud swing. But there is an artist from Ukraine who does it on a trapeze. I also admire her, her name is Daria Vintilova.
Returning to your work at the Arlette-Gruss Circus, you performed over 300 shows in just eight months. Could you share more about this experience? How did working with a travelling circus compare to your previous experiences, and did the demanding schedule take a toll on you?
Actually, this French circus was my first big job, so it was quite difficult. Every weekend we did three shows a day, and it’s a test for the body. Sometimes I went to osteopaths, massage stores, etc. But the travelling circus also allows seeing many new places and performing for a new audience. So it was a nice experience.
By the way, when you went to Ukraine in 2021, did you think about working in a stationary circus? Have you received offers from Ukrainian circuses?
I would like to work in Ukraine. Once I was at a circus performance in Lviv, and I really liked it there. But, I think, my parents would not be pleased with such a decision, considering the security situation.
I am waiting for a good moment and would gladly go to Lviv or Kyiv.
Anna, you talk about the circus with great passion. Many artists, not only from the circus, live according to the principle “My work is my life.” Do you consider yourself to be such a person?
It’s truly my passion. As they say, if you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life. It’s true, but when you’re passionate about what you do, you invest your all into it, and it doesn’t feel like work; it becomes your life.
Your Angel Heart performance looks beautiful. Tell us how it was born and what emotions it expresses. At the end of the performance, you symbolically extend your heart to the audience. What does it mean?
As I already mentioned, this act was created by Kristian Kristof to the music of Queen. I descend on the stage as an angel, and the heart represents the soul that I take to heaven. There is also a note of rebellion, like in Freddie Mercury. That’s what it would represent – breaking free, flying, all this stuff. But yeah, it gives a different feeling for everyone.
Going back to your Hungarian background, could you tell us a little bit about the circus school in your country? How developed and popular is this industry? Are there schools that train artists? Give a small overview of the situation of the circus in Hungary.
In Budapest, we have a stationary circus, like in Kyiv. But the building is a little smaller. There is also a circus school in Budapest. We have many travelling circuses and whole families who have been working in this field for generations: grandparents, parents and other relatives.
Coming from a circus family is one way to get into the industry. You can also join a school in Budapest. I did it when I was 20, but usually, people start earlier.
The school had a two-year program for adults that I started with 10 other entrants, but only three people finished.
Now I am the only one from this group working in the circus industry. I can add that Hungary is famous for its good artists and teacher boards.
After two years in the circus industry, what do you consider your greatest achievements in terms of shows and performances in various arenas?
It’s hard to say, my career is just beginning. But I was very happy when I received an invitation to Peru. It is far from my country and I worked with very professional artists. It was an honour and pleasure for me to perform there.
But I’m always happy to join a good show, so I can’t pick my biggest achievement yet. I have some plans for next year, and if all goes well, I’ll consider it a big accomplishment.
This is a good time to talk about the future. For the Ukrainian and Hungarian audience, tell us where you can be seen next time.
At Christmas, I will go to Germany to perform in Remscheider. I’m looking forward to it because my friends will be there. Some other Hungarian artists will come, as well as a Ukrainian group of dancers and acrobats. Therefore, I am sure that it will be a very high-quality show.
Follow Anna Demeter’s Instagram so you don’t miss: www.instagram.com/annademeter_angelheart
*All media used was sourced from Anna Demeter’s personal archive
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