Irina Bugrimova is known to every circus lover in our country. However, not only in ours - this trainer conquered the world viewer with her numbers with lions. This spectacular woman with dark hair appeared in the arena, accompanied by the kings of animals, showing incredible numbers with their participation. Over the years of working with animals, Irina Bugrimova managed and was able to raise about 80 lions.
Childhood
The future circus star was born on March 13, 1910 in the city of Kharkov. Her parents were not directly related to the circus. My father was a veterinarian, my mother - of noble origin - played the piano perfectly, was fond of photography and drawing.
From the age of seven, the girl studied at a music school and a ballet studio. Some time later, she seriously took up sports disciplines: she ran, jumped from a tower, in height and length. She began to play Russian hockey, was a discus and spear thrower, participated in shot put competitions, ran on skates, and even became interested in motor sports. In 1927, Irina Bugrimova became the champion in shot put, after 12 months - in discus throw. Thanks to motorsport, she met with Buslaev, whom she later married. From 1926 to 1928 she was a student of the Kharkov Commercial and Industrial School.
First exit
For the first time in the circus arena, the future trainer Irina Bugrimova appeared in 1931. Together with Buslaev, she developed and implemented "Flight on a sleigh from under the circus dome." The number, loved by the audience, but not an actress, lasted until 1937. At the same time, in parallel with the number, Irina is preparing something else - “Higher Riding School”. After a short time, a number appeared in her repertoire in which she used lions for the first time.
After the war ended, the couple broke up, and each began to build an individual career.
Lions
The biography of Irina Bugrimova as a trainer began not by chance. In 1937, the circus manager Dankman announced that he would like to see a trainer in the arena of his circus. Bugrimova agreed to put a number with the leopards, which were acquired specifically for this purpose. However, having worked with these animals, the tamer realized that she prefers to share the arena with the real animal kings. The leadership went to meet her, giving three lion cubs. Their name was Caesar, Julius and Kai. Given that at that time there was no approved methodology for training these animals, they had to advance in small steps, making discoveries almost blindly, relying entirely on intuition.
Almost the whole world is familiar with the achievements of Irina Bugrimova. Together with the circus, she traveled around the world, showing her animals in Bulgaria, Iran, Japan, Poland, Mexico, Czechoslovakia, East Germany and other countries. The artist’s performance is not just a standard set of tricks, it is always a small performance. Lions performed extremely difficult numbers: they took off under the circus dome on a swing, walked along a tightly stretched thin rope. The audience “The Death Chair”, “The Lion in the Air”, “The Lion on the Wire”, “The Lion on the Motorcycle” and others like them have always enjoyed great success with the audience.
Irina Bugrimova during her career worked with 80 lions, 8 horses and 12 dogs.
At the age of 66, the artist was forced to quit her career: in 1976, the lions rioted and attacked Bugrimova. The assistants managed to get her out of the arena, but what happened showed her that the lions no longer see her as a strong leader.
The method of training, which the artist came to, differs from the generally accepted at that time. The fact is that she completely excluded from the turnover blows and some unpleasant experiments that many animal trainers of those times sinned. Even the Society for the Protection of Animals was forced to conclude that its methodology is humane. For all that, strict discipline reigned on the stage in her performances, the animals clearly obeyed her every order and gesture. Many colleagues with whom a woman met in various circuses are surprised to recall this strong woman who can do what not every man can achieve.
Personal
Irina Bugrimova, whose personal life could not but interest her fans, was not too happy in family life. After breaking up with Buslaev, she married an acrobat in the same circus of Konstantin Parmakyan. Unfortunately, this marriage was not long or successful. The artist’s popularity was to blame - she received much more than her husband, which could not but hurt her. She was always looking for a man who would be stronger than her. But a woman who manages to subdue lions to her will is not so easy to do.
In addition, Bugrimova never wanted children. For her, the main thing in life is performances, work with animals. And the child would distract her from this and would only interfere.
Life after the arena
After leaving the circus, Irina Bugrimova did not disappear at all, like many other artists. She took up social activities. In addition, she wrote a book about her work in the circus, participated in the selection committee at the State College of Circus and Variety Arts. MN Rumyantseva, was a consultant to all kinds of circus undertakings.
Already at a very advanced age - at 86 years old - Irina Bugrimova fell in her own apartment, the result was a hip fracture. She spent a long time in a wheelchair, but found the strength to start walking again and even do it in heels.
The artist died in 2001 from a heart attack. Her grave is in the Troekurovsky cemetery. She bequeathed to use almost all of her diamond collection for the benefit of the development of training.
