Special award “For the development of the circus industry”

Today, we have the special honor of presenting a unique award to People's Artist of Ukraine and outstanding animal trainer — Liudmyla Oleksiivna Shevchenko.

The story of this award traces its origin to an exceptionally challenging time for our country. In 2022 and 2023, the team of the "Magic Wings" Charitable Foundation organized special circus performances for children from frontline territories in Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro. Along with the shows, we brought humanitarian aid, emotional support, and the faith that childhood must remain a place for dreams even during war.

In response, the children gave us the most precious gift — their drawings. In these artworks, they depicted their inner world, experiences, hopes, and vision of the circus. In total, over two thousand children's drawings were collected. The best of them formed the foundation of the "War Through the Eyes of Children" exhibition, which shared children's feelings and the healing power of art with adults during the darkest times.

It was from these children's creations that our special award was born. It symbolizes the children's view of the circus — a world of goodness, wonder, courage, and inspiration. This is not merely an accolade, but a symbol of gratitude from the children of Ukraine to those who, through their dedication, develop circus arts and open new horizons for young talents.

For many years of devotion to the profession, significant contributions to the development of Ukrainian circus arts, unwavering support for the young generation of performers, and the preservation of the finest traditions of circus culture, the special award "For the Development of the Circus Industry and Children's Circus Creativity" is presented to People's Artist of Ukraine Liudmyla Oleksiivna Shevchenko.

We extend our deepest gratitude to you for your talent, wisdom, service to the arts, and the endless inspiration you bring to the children of Ukraine.