Ukrainian Circus Star to perform in his new adopted home of Swansea as Circus Vegas rolls into town
Mumbles Recreation Ground, Swansea. SA2 0AU
When Circus Vegas rolls into Swansea one of it’s star performers Yuriy Antoniv (46) will take centre stage
Yuriy arrived in the UK from Ukraine in 1998 working with a circus troupe and created his own comedy trampoline act, after a few years performing in the UK he obtained his residency & settled in the Birchgrove area of Swansea where he started to work Gwaun Cae Gurwen at Organised Kaos Youth Circus, which provides a training space and community circus school in the South Wales valleys.
In February he started work in Circus Vegas in Scotland not realising the perils that lay ahead.On February 24 whilst Yuriy was in Glasgow he saw the devastating news that Russia had invaded Ukraine & war has broken out.Yuriy’s parents, were reluctant to leave their home, however, as soon as it was possible for him to bring his parents to the UK he did so & set off to the Ukraine Polish border to collect his mother, Liubov Antoniv, (70), his father Zenovii Antoniv,(74), and his grandmother, Olena Kosidi ( 92).
He drove to Poland and arranged to meet them and bring them to safety in the UK. However, this proved to be more difficult than expected as none of them had valid passports. It took 10 days to apply for and obtain entry visas – it seemed like an eternity… Finally the visas were approved and they were able to begin their journey to the UK.
Yuriy is grateful for the help and support he received from the local MP’s office who helped with the visa applications, and Organised Kaos who booked AIRBnB accommodation and supported them during their journey across Europe.
Yuriy and his family are forever grateful and cannot express their thanks enough to the people of Swansea for the kindness and generosity they have shown them, with the gifts of furniture, clothes, gift cards and neighbourliness. They have been made to feel welcome.
Like most Ukrainians forced to flee their motherland they still miss their home and are looking forward to the time when it will be safe enough for them to return home to Ukraine.
After his epic trip Yuriy returned to Circus Vegas & is delighted to be performing in his adopted home os Swansea.
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