 |
Elen ZapashnayaWife of circus artist Askold Zapashny
Country:
 Russia |
Content:
- Biography of Elena Zapashnaya
- Why did you have a secret wedding with Askold?
- How did Askold propose? In the arena with tigers?
- Do you often live in Israel? Do you follow Jewish traditions?
- How do you divide family responsibilities?
- Your husband often goes on tour, is it difficult without him?
Biography of Elena Zapashnaya
Elena Zapashnaya, wife of circus artist Askold Zapashny, keeps her family life away from prying eyes. Their wedding was held secretly, without much publicity in the press. Before Askold Zapashny's appointment as the chief artistic director of the Moscow Circus on Vernadsky Avenue, the "Express Gazeta" met with the circus artist's wife, Elena Zapashnaya, in her homeland of Israel. Elena Zapashnaya frequently visits her homeland in Haifa, on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Her parents live here, and she is deeply attached to the Holy Land. While Askold travels on tours with his brother Edgar, Elena is raising their two daughters, Eva and Elza, in Israel.
Why did you have a secret wedding with Askold?
- Our parents were against our relationship. His mother wanted a circus girl in the family. In addition, she wouldn't cause any inconvenience or deprivation and would travel on tours with her husband. But my parents didn't want Askold because they were afraid I would abandon my studies at the medical institute in Minsk.
Were you a fan of the Zapashny brothers' performances? How did you meet Askold?
- I was studying in Minsk. Together with friends, we attended the Zapashny brothers' show. We had a great evening and that was it. A few days later, our mutual friend Andrey called me and said, "Elena, a circus artist named Askold is asking for your phone number." I thought, who is this Askold among them? I didn't look at the posters, so I couldn't recognize them. I refused our friend, saying, "I have a boyfriend, and the guys are leaving for a tour soon, why do I need this?"... I had the thought in my head that if he's famous, then he must be spoiled by female attention. But Askold didn't give up. Andrey called me for a long time, saying, "What are you doing? Such a person wants to call you, and you?!" But you did give him your phone number in the end? - Yes. He sent the first text message during my lecture at the institute, and I smiled so much that even the teacher noticed. It felt so nice, even though the message was short: "Hi, this is Askold Zapashny, let's meet up." We started dating. Our first evening together was amazing. Then Askold didn't call or write to me for four days. I thought, "That's it, all the same." But as it turned out, this was his way of making a girl fall in love with him. I was so nervous, and he endured the time. It's not just us girls who play tricks, but also guys. And then he went on tour... - Since the guys were on tour for two months, we used any free time we had: if it was night, then it was night. Of course, I kept telling myself that these relationships didn't have a future. And my mother didn't like that instead of studying, I was traveling with them on tours: Gomel, Bryansk... We exchanged text messages and talked on the phone for two years. What did you tell your boyfriend at the time? - We broke up. I'm not guilty, I honestly told him at the beginning of our relationship that we didn't have a future. And now he thanks me for it.
How did Askold propose? In the arena with tigers?
- First, three months into our relationship, he confessed his love. We dreamed of getting married, made plans for the future, and thought about children, even though the whole world was against us. I didn't believe it until the very end, holding back my emotions. Askold had a hard time convincing me, explaining that our relationship had entered a different stage. After that conversation, we started calling ourselves a couple. Then Askold met my parents in Israel. Everyone was very nervous. Askold proposed in Jerusalem, on the Holy Land, he gave me a ring and said those important words for a woman. I was so overwhelmed that I didn't even say "yes." But despite that, we are together and raising our two daughters...
Do you often live in Israel? Do you follow Jewish traditions?
- No, of course not. We are a modern family with Askold. For example, if we want stuffed Jewish fish, I don't cook it myself, I order it from a friend.
How do you divide family responsibilities?
- Most of my friends' husbands do something in the kitchen. But Askold never does. At first, I was offended. But Askold once said, "When I see a girl and her boyfriend carrying a small lady's handbag, it makes me laugh." With a husband, I've changed my perception of a real man. Creating a cozy home is a woman's job. I've come to terms with the fact that my husband doesn't know how to make scrambled eggs or bring coffee to bed.
Your husband often goes on tour, is it difficult without him?
- That's in the past. I try to travel with my husband and children on tour. We have a luxurious big bed, but I feel terribly lonely there. I've even surrounded myself with teddy bears, but it doesn't help. I sleep on a small couch.
Is your home in Russia or Israel? Why can't your husband find work here in the circus?
- There is no circus of their own in Israel. By the way, that's a good idea: to create our own troupe. I can say one thing: I can't live without Israel.
