InfoAnda - At 80, world's oldest clown has no plans to quit

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Afghan commission sets August presidential vote | 5 March 2009
China reach in focus at U.S.- Philippine security talks | | 29 April 2012
Bus bomb kills 19 in northwest Pakistan: police | | 8 June 2012

Pirates take crew of Spanish trawler to Somalia: minister | 6 November 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : At 80, world's oldest clown has no plans to quit

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition World At 80, world's oldest clown has no plans to quit AFP - 1 hour 7 minutes ago Send IM Story Print At 80, world's oldest clown has no plans to quit THE HAGUE (AFP) - – At 80, the world's oldest clown has given up tightrope walking but Oleg Popov, the most famous Soviet-era jester, still tours half of the year and has no plans to hang up his trademark red nose. "The Sun Clown", as he is also known, never fails to enthrall young and old with his oddball character based on a figure from Russian folklore -- one who appears stupid but really isn't. "I love to make people laugh, also in private," the Russian told AFP on a recent tour in The Hague, laughter sparkling in his lively blue eyes. "I am very happy -- if I could live my life over I would become a clown all over again." As the drums rolled under the travelling big top of the Great Russian State Circus, the ringmaster heralds "the one, the only, the unique Oleg Popov!" To loud applause, a small man with a shock of straw-coloured hair under a black-and-white chequered cap shuffles into the ring -- just as he has done for six decades. Alone in the spotlight, Popov -- who in 1981 won the Golden Clown award, the "Oscar" of the circus world -- chants softly in Russian, clutching an old umbrella handle sprouting a bunch of multi-coloured balloons. His black jacket is too short, his red, blue and black-striped pants stop at his calves. His bow tie, like his nose, is red and his face lightly made up. Between performances of hoop-jumping poodles, flying acrobats and a trained elephant, Popov entertains with a trick that sends soup ladles flying into ice buckets. To the crowd's delight, he then uses a bicycle pump to "inflate" a fellow clown who rises inch-by-inch from a collapsed pose on the floor. Accompanied by a circus orchestra, Popov and his 49-year-old German wife Gabriela also juggle and do magic tricks -- with no vocabulary required as they communicate with their audience in the universal language of laughter. "The work of a clown is interesting because it is art, and art is like an endless ocean," the octogenarian told AFP between shows, taking a break in his circus trailer filled with costumes, balloons and old-fashioned suitcases. "What Charlie Chaplin was for the movies, Oleg Popov is for the circus," states a tribute to Popov on the Great Russian State Circus website, referring to one of the clown's own idols. It likens his reprises to "poetry", saying he "bathes the circus ring in sunshine", hence the nickname. Born Oleg Konstantinovich Popov into a poor family in a small town near Moscow, he joined the Russian State Circus school in Moscow at the age of 14, spending 10-hour days learning juggling, tightrope walking, trapeze work and acrobatics. After a sickly childhood often spent hungry, Popov's gift for hilarity soon earned him payment in the form of food coupons for performances at Russian collective farms or sports clubs. At 19, the clown, whose clockmaker father disappeared under the Stalin regime, was given a full-time job at the government-run Russian State Circus. His big break came in 1954, when he stepped in for the head clown who had broken his arm. Popov took over as head clown two years later, the same year he left Russian soil for the first time on a tour of western Europe. It was the first-ever foreign tour by a Soviet circus, arranged by the Kremlin to bolster its image abroad. "I was not allowed to leave the circus, we were watched permanently by KGB agents" tasked with preventing defections, he recounts in a rare serious moment. Popov has since performed all around the world, including France, Australia, the United States, Japan, Israel and Cuba. His current employer, the Great Russian State Circus, credits him with helping "bring about a rapprochement between East and West through the language of the heart". The clown now lives on a farm about 30 kilometres (18 miles) from Nuremberg, where he and Gabriela, his second wife who became a circus performer after their wedding in 1991, raises horses, dogs, rabbits and white rats used in their shows. Popov tours each year for six months, giving more than 200 performances mainly in Germany but also in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. "For the rest of the time I watch birds flying in the sky," he says. Ringmaster Thierry Dourain said Popov never let his fame go to his head. "He does not assume any airs, not even when (Russian Prime Minister) Vladimir Putin phones him on his birthday." And quitting is out of the question. "He thinks he will die in the circus, that one day God will call him from his dressing room or the ring," said circus director Willem Smitt. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles At 80, world's oldest clown has no plans to quit AFP - 1 hour 7 minutes ago US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - 2 hours 1 minute ago "Twilight" and Katy Perry among People's Choice winners Reuters - 1 hour 50 minutes ago "American Idol" best days may be over: poll Reuters - Thursday, January 6 Horrified Michael Jackson children saw father motionless Reuters - Thursday, January 6 News Search Top Stories US probe shares out 'systemic' blame for oil spill US private hiring boosts hopes for jobs report Jackson doctor 'ordered aide to remove evidence' Starbucks revamps logo, hints at life beyond coffee N.Korea calls for 'unconditional' talks with South More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Falling blackbirds baffle Arkansas officials Hasta la Vista: Arnie quits as California governor Goldman deal 'values Facebook at $50 billion' Spain lotto winner nearly loses millions by tossing tickets Brazil's 2010 trade surplus lowest in 8 years: official More Most Viewed » More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Entertainment Photos Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Thursday, 6 January 2011
Israeli strike foils rare Russian president visit
William and Kate get archbishop, procession for wedding
US-TECH Summary
U.S. foe, Sadr, returns to Iraq after exile
New mass death of birds in Sweden
Fired-up Obama foes take over US House
Panasonic to reveal Internet TV technology: report
Israel says Palestinian alternatives a "mirage"
Hundreds pregnant in UK despite contraceptive implant
US private-sector jobs boom spurs recovery hopes
AT&T plans 20 new phones, major Android push
Kidnapped Hungarian peacekeeper freed in Sudan's Darfur
French ex-minister Morin to run for president
Internet activists hit Tunisia government wesbites
Greek guerrilla group claims Athens court blast |
China vows to help Europe beat debt crisis
Radical cleric Sadr returns to Iraq as hero
Parrot makes 'smart' car radio for Internet Age
Egypt church bomb hints at al Qaeda gaining toehold
Afghanistan says attacks against VP thwarted
U.S. to help south Sudan if it chooses independence |
Mattel partners with THQ in new licensing deal
Israel says Palestinian alternatives a mirage |
Russian Internet firm builds social networking empire
Mongolian spy chief blasts British 'insult'
Analysis: Facebook fund tests SEC resolve
U.S. seeks China's help in reining in North Korea
US probe after Goldman investment in Facebook
Pakistan governor buried as clerics warn against grief
Panasonic to reveal Internet TV technology: report
N.Korea calls for 'unconditional' talks with South
AT&T plans 20 fast Web phones this year
Wozniacki, Rezai power into Hong Kong final
'Roustabout' world's worst job: survey
U.S. downplays Chinese stealth fighter status
AT&T plans 20 new phones, major Android push |
Time called on British beer measures
Indonesian maid shows wounds to Saudi court
'Babe' creator Dick King-Smith dies at 88
Intel's new chips to yield one-third of 2011 revenue |
China TV channel turns back clock with 'red' programming
Comcast rolls out video app for iPad; eyes live TV |
New twist in California gay marriage legal battle
RIM's PlayBook software unit QMX shifts into gear |
Google wins court challenge on government contract |
Panasonic to reveal Internet TV technology: report |
LG Electronics sees flat North America TV sales in 2011 |
American Air holds ground in travel agent spat |
China vows to help Europe beat debt crisis
Pakistan stocks gain; security concern limits rise
Top Citigroup managers blamed in fraud claims
Top Chinese official promises to buy Spanish debt
Taiwan cbank: bond maturity could spark fund outflows
Japan new car sales see first rise in seven years
Cambodian telecoms sector begins consolidation
Motorola unveils tablet computer, the Xoom
Mali says 'foreigner' attacked French embassy
US probe shares out 'systemic' blame for oil spill
William and Kate get archbishop, procession for wedding
US private hiring boosts hopes for jobs report
Seoul rejects North Korea's talks offer as propaganda |
Samsung, LG place 3D bets with cheaper TVs
Jackson doctor 'ordered aide to remove evidence'
Dutch firefighters battle chemical blaze
Zoellick: G20 must act to stabilize food prices |
Starbucks revamps logo, hints at life beyond coffee
Nvidia challenges Intel with PC central processors
U.S. to send 1,400 extra troops to Afghanistan: report |
N.Korea calls for 'unconditional' talks with South
Microsoft links up with ARM in new tablet drive
Premiership managers fight to survive
Chavez backers, foes rally for Venezuela parliament |
Sharp's Galapagos tablet U.S.-bound later in 2011
Autism-vaccine study was 'fraud,' journal says
U.S. protests Vietnamese police attack on diplomat |
Microsoft Windows adapting to mobile world
Republicans take over U.S. House and dilute cuts
Struggling Japan PM tries to seize policy initiative |
Panasonic readies "smart" TV, tablet thrust
Draining flooded Australia mines could take weeks |
Sony beefs up content for 3D, pushes connected TV
Motorola gadget to make smartphones like computers
Pakistan governor buried, clerics warn against grief |
Microsoft sold over 8 million Kinects in 60 days: CEO
Relief agency slams Haiti quake recovery quagmire |
Autism-vaccine study was a 'fraud', journal says
LG unveils first tablet through T-Mobile USA
U.S. envoy to Libya ensnared in WikiLeaks uproar |
US, China pledge cooperation
Malkovich plays Casanova and sings on Vienna stage
Motorola unveils tablet computer, the Xoom
Australian navy thwarts pirate attack on British ship
Seoul rejects North Korea's talks offer as "propaganda"
Samsung, LG place 3D bets with cheaper TVs
Finger injury hurts Ogilvy's treble bid
Panasonic readies "smart" TV, tablet thrust
Samsung Electronics to boost 3D TV line-up
Siberian tiger attacks, kills bus driver in China
Battery factory poisons 24 children in China
Corrected: LG Display in LCD screen supply deal with Sony
LinkedIn plans to go public in 2011: sources |
At 80, world's oldest clown has no plans to quit
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
RIM announces 4G tablet, touts corporate interest |
LG Electronics sees flat North America TV sales in 2011
"Twilight" and Katy Perry among People's Choice winners
Microsoft sold over 8 million Kinects in 60 days: CEO |
No-sex zone threatened after Philippines scandal
Motorola gadget to make smartphones like computers |
"American Idol" best days may be over: poll
Horrified Michael Jackson children saw father motionless
Microsoft links up with ARM in new tablet drive |
Britney Spears inspires "Country Strong" character
Beatles being paid directly by iTunes in deal
GM invests $5 million in wireless charging startup |
Co-host of Roger Ebert's new movie show speaks out
Sony beefs up content for 3D, pushes connected TV |
Beatles being paid directly by iTunes in deal |
Malkovich plays Casanova and sings on Vienna stage
Nvidia challenges Intel with PC central processors |
Seoul shares end down on banks, but shipyards help
AT&T plans 20 new phones, major Android push |
Sumitomo, Nippon Sharyo get Taiwan rail car order
China to build $1.5 bn trading centre in Thailand
Hacked iTunes accounts for sale online in China
Pakistani c.bank to buy govt paper to inject liquidity
China, Taiwan launch new economic committee
Taiwan tax evaders barred from taking taxi-cabs
GM invests $5 million in wireless charging startup
Foreign selling of S.Korea bonds at record in Dec
Pakistan
Sony beefs up content for 3D, pushes connected TV
S.Korea's Asiana to buy six Airbus A380s
Motorola gadget to make smartphones like computers
adding interaction to Connected TV
Microsoft sold over 8 million Kinects in 60 days: CEO
Twilight and Katy Perry among People's Choice winners |
Horrified Michael Jackson children saw father motionless |
LG unveils first tablet through T-Mobile USA
American Idol best days may be over: poll |
Beatles being paid directly by iTunes in deal |
Co-host of Roger Ebert's new movie show speaks out |
Betty White says she is trying to cut down on work |
Britney Spears inspires Country Strong character |
More catfights in new season of Jersey Shore |
Paula Abdul dances back into hearts of viewers |
Anna Nicole Smith boyfriend likely to escape jail |
Mubarak says Israel must revise position on talks
Iraqis look to U.S. foe Sadr to help stabilise state |
Israeli troops kill 2 Palestinians on Gaza border
AT&T added 50 percent more China clients in 2010
German industrial orders jump by 5.2%
Fear stalks Egypt's churches over Coptic Christmas |
US sending 1,400 more Marines to Afghanistan
Renault spy scandal threat to 'strategic assets'
HTC Q4 net more than double, more gains ahead
U.S. woman arrested in Iran for spying: report |
Egypt warns Israel against new Gaza war
Security tight as Nigerian oil state goes to polls |
Microsoft sold 8 mln Kinects in first two months
Autism-MMR vaccine study was an 'elaborate fraud'
Israel says Turkey like Iran before revolution
Israelis bribed to admit U.S. goods to Gaza: WikiLeaks |
Passengers overpower hijacker on Norway-Turkey flight
Ouattara says rival Gbagbo ordered Ivory Coast violence |
China's Youku streams Hollywood hit in film deal
EU says up to U.N. to inspect Iran's nuclear
Record high food prices stoke fears for economy |
Radical cleric Sadr returns to Iraq as hero
Former boss feared Pakistan suspect's extremism |
Chaos at hearing of alleged Pakistan assassin
Former boss feared Pakistan suspect's extremism
Chaos over Pakistan 'assassin' court appearance
Great Wall named top dangerous location in Beijing
In Jakarta, even death can be quite expensive
U.S. to temporarily send 1,400 more Marines to Afghanistan
Korea primed for deep Asian Cup run
Lottery jackpot winner to claim winnings in Wash.
England on verge of Ashes series win
Encore for Malaysia's hit Islamic talent show
Millions more people flying in Philippines
Man in custody following standoff at Arizona mall
Draining flooded Australia mines could take weeks
Beirut's iconic 'Glass Cafe' takes its last bow
Artday app adds culture to smartphones
Apple launches app store for Macs, a la iPhone |
Analysis: Microsoft embrace boost for ARM, worry for Intel |
China pledges to enhance yuan flexibility
GameStop's holiday sales disappoint, shares drop |
Pakistani stocks end up; rupee firms; o/n rates flat
Pakistan's forex reserves jump to record $17.2 bln
Asia Naphtha-S.Korea Honam buys H2 Feb cargoes at firm premiums
Indonesia rights body denounces torture in Papua
AIG's Taiwan unit fined for punishing union member
India police clear Citibank CEO in fraud case
Japan backs firms' green city projects abroad
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01