Flying, Shining, and Inspiring
“Art of Fly”, the 5th All‑Russian Festival of Aerial Gymnastics and Circus Art, gathered artists from Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, and Omsk in a warm, intimate hall at the studio that shares its name. There, its students — kids and adults alike — fearlessly challenge gravity.
For five years now, coaches and a married couple Alena Yachmeneva and Alexander Yachmenev have been bringing this beautiful competition to life, attracting participants from many regions. It’s a space where strong rivals meet, where seasoned judges offer valuable insight, and where everyone gets a rare glimpse of new possibilities.
Dramatic Prologue
Alena Yachmeneva, the festival’s chief organizer, welcomes the guests and participants
The enchanting saxophone notes set the perfect tone for the gala concert
The inspiring melody is performed by Alexander Yachmenev — acrobat, coach, and musician
The first act is a duet performance
It’s titled “Dance of the Fiery Element”
Opening the gala concert is a great honor — and a great responsibility
Aria Gartung and Alena Strelnikova (“Art of Fly” studio from Omsk) perform on aerial silks
The most breathtaking moments happen several meters above the ground
The gymnasts’ movements are as synchronized as the equipment allows
Wrapping the fabric around the body makes it possible to showcase some unique moves
Aerial silks are rightfully considered the most spectacular apparatus in aerial gymnastics
Those seconds of free fall earn well‑deserved applause
And here’s the dramatic drop — a fall with a controlled stop: this is only possible on silks
It all lasts just a few minutes, and the performers have to impress a discerning audience in that time
The artists are basking in the spotlight — literally and figuratively
In the Air
Let’s welcome Valeria Zhigalina in her tiger‑cub costume!
The ring act was created by “Gravity” studio from Novosibirsk
Skill, charm, and fearlessness — this girl has it all in abundance
The young, playful “predator” isn’t afraid of heights at all…
…and she’s enjoying every moment of her striped performance
Looks like we’ll be seeing the tiger cub at festivals many more times in the coming years
On stage — Yana Mikhaleva, a student of the “Up” circus studio from Krasnoyarsk
Can we guess the character by the costume? Of course, it’s Thumbelina!
Working on straps is harder than on silks, which one can wrap around oneself for support
Still, this miniature fairy‑tale heroine pulls off even the most difficult moves
And she never forgets to share a smile with the audience
It’s hard to say goodbye to Thumbelina, but the gala concert must go on
On the Ground
Next, the same Krasnoyarsk studio “Up” presents a diabolo act
Vitaly Demin and Ilya Boyarkin juggle with this unique circus prop
Two sticks, a string, and a specially shaped spool create endless trick combinations
Diabolo originates from Ancient China, but the technique keeps evolving to this day
One can spin it, toss it, catch it, and make its trajectory as complex as possible
This circus genre demands the highest level of performance skill
Let’s take a break from the high‑altitude acts and welcome the hula hoops!
Yesenia Smogorzhevskaya trains at the “Likodemia” studio in Omsk
She effortlessly handles dozens of hoops, moving to the rhythm of the dance
At times, it looks like she’s creating a glowing halo around herself
Spinning hoops at different body levels always looks breathtaking
Undoubtedly, this solo act is a real highlight of the program
“Likodemia” holds the stage a little longer
A bird with a brave heart has managed to break free from the net
Sofia Komarova and her coaches truly know their way around equilibristics
This theme calls for remarkable acting talent
Good balancing skills are just as important in this genre
A skillful blend of artistry and physical training is a key to success at competitions
Back in the Air
Meet Sofia Varinova — a rock star from Novosibirsk!
She also trains at the “Gravity” studio, which we already know
Aerial silks let her show off her skills — especially when she climbs higher
Part of the act is all about getting ready for the most memorable tricks
To keep the audience hooked during those moments, one needs strong charisma
The shadows create the illusion of three gymnasts in the frame
This is how the explosive energy of rock gets amplified by the aerial element
It’s a bit disappointing that the spectator seats don’t form a circle, like in a real circus
It was musical, graceful, and utterly daring
The festival stage is once again in the hands of an Omsk performer from the “Art of Fly” studio
Valeria Vorobyova presents her ring act “Bright Soul”
The lyrical nature of the story is highlighted by both the lighting and the emotions
The ring makes a wide range of spectacular gymnastic sequences possible
Behind this effortless look are hundreds of hours of hard training
While flexibility may come naturally, grace is the result of the coach’s guidance and the artist’s own dedication
The flight ends with a one‑heel hang — a top‑tier element
Of course, Valeria is met with thunderous applause
Next up, Polina Tolstokulakova soars into the air — again from Omsk, again from the “Likodemia” studio
She has assistants to help her “weave the web”
But the focus remains on her solo performance
The character is perfectly supported by both the costume and the makeup
Now, Ivan Savchenko from Omsk is about to prove that looks can be deceiving
The transformation from a “nerd” into a dashing secret agent happens in an instant
This production by the “Art of Fly” studio has already successfully taken part in circus festivals
It seems like no one in his age group can match Ivan on the straps
The act is full of youthful vigor
Need we even mention that the performer also has flawless control over his body?
Vibrant Finale
The last story told today is “Anna Karenina”
Ulyana Isaeva from the Omsk “Art of Fly” studio turned the pages of this great novel
She faced an incredibly challenging task: to convey the plot and emotions through the language of aerial gymnastics
The movements and the lighting — everything works to build the dramatic tension
Beneath the outward calm lies a rich spectrum of inner feelings
The technical moves — like the neck hang — are just as complex as the heroine’s character
In Anna Karenina, weakness and nobility, the desire for happiness and the sense of duty are locked in conflict
As we know, this inner struggle gradually leads to a tragic ending…
…making this contradictory character one of the most significant in world literature
Awards are presented by age groups
Young circus performers receive diplomas, ice cream, and keepsake souvenirs
The prize‑winning positions are a testament to their high level of professionalism
One more performance awaits us — a showcase act
On the ring is Alisa Andrusenko, a coach from the “Gravity” studio in Novosibirsk
The atmosphere of the gala concert is perfect for sharing such valuable experience
In the finale, the coaches are presented with letters of gratitude
The final suspense: who will take home the grand prix and the festival crown?
It’s the brilliant Ulyana Isaeva, whose beautiful Anna Karenina stayed in everyone’s memory
The medals definitely deserve some commemorative photos
The official part is over, and now it’s time to have fun, celebrating the students’ achievements
For five years now, the Omsk “Art of Fly” festival has been helping talents to shine and grow
