Animal trainer Alexander Nikolaevich Kornilov is the founder of the legendary circus dynasty. The Kornilovs work with elephants and have gained fame not only in Russia, but also abroad. Today it is difficult to name a country in which the troupe has not toured. The Kornilov family keeps many stories that could form the basis of several exciting novels.
From sailors to trainers
The biography of the founder of the famous Kornilov dynasty began in 1903. Alexander was born on the Volga, so he decided to become a sailor. Once, being on leave and walking around Samara, he got to the fair, where Ivan Filatov's traveling menagerie performed. At the checkout, the young man saw a girl who struck him with her beauty. Soon, Alexander made an offer to Maria, who turned out to be the daughter of the owner of the menagerie. The bride's father made an unusual gift for the young couple at the wedding - an elephant and set a condition for his son-in-law to leave the sea element and stay in the circus.
At first, Alexander did the simplest job: he cleaned after the animals and fed them. Since Kornilov was from a simple family, and his chosen one belonged to a well-known family, the young man had to learn languages and good manners, and then he began the basics of training.
Working with elephants
After the revolution, all animals were nationalized, and private menageries were abolished. The family of trainers toured the country extensively with a mixed group of animals. Their production of "The Elephant in a Restaurant" was a success with the public. Two circus dynasties originated from a small booth at once: the Filatovs became famous for their work with predators, and the Kornilovs created a unique school for training elephants.
Then Alexander continued his career in the state circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard and presented the "Elephants and Dancers" attraction to the audience. In 1944, the number received the 1st prize of the All-Russian Festival, the original idea was that the tricks were simultaneously performed by elephants and acrobatic girls.
During the war, Kornilov trained medical orderlies and sniper dogs for the front. In peacetime, under the leadership of the eminent circus performer, new numbers "Horse riding on camels" and "Fire bears" appeared. In 1969, the circus master was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR. All these years, his faithful assistant and wife Maria Filatova-Kornilova was nearby.
The dynasty continues
The traditions of the Kornilov dynasty were continued by their son Anatoly. In 1977, when his father was gone, he took his place. The trainer took the lead in the elephant ride, where animals demonstrate many tricks, including many difficult ones, and also created his own numbers "Riga Souvenirs" and "Exotic Animals". His wife Nina, children Taisiya and Mikhail also devoted their lives to the arena and glorified the domestic circus. The Kornilov dynasty is already over 130 years old, representatives of its four generations daily surprise the audience with their creativity. Grandson Andrey continues the work of his grandfather, combining the lessons of a trainer and an administrator.
The Kornilovs believe that elephants are incredibly intelligent animals and it is easy to find a common language with them. And the circus profession cannot be changed, it is a fate that requires a lot of love and dedication. After all, the circus does not tolerate falsehood, everything is real here.
