Ventsi's Trick
The Artist as a Clown

The circus ring. Lights go up. It's a full house. The announcer clears his throat. Cameras are ready… countdown. The huge screen doesn't miss a thing.

The announcer's voice rings solemn and coarse, your heartbeat racing in the background. Ventsi Zankov shows up … in golden tights. Dr-r-r-rums, then silence … the crackling sound of a burning hoop. Guess who is holding the hoop? Yes, she is a curator, and yes, it's Yara Bubnova, ladies and gentlemen.

Ventsi dashes forward, jumps through the hoop, into the flames…rolls over toward an art critic. The critic has a sweet surprise for Ventsi, m-m-m it tastes real good. Applause, drums beat fast and wild.

The screen replays the trick over and over, slowing down to savor each detail.

Cameras flush. Frenzied mikes all around Ventsi. He takes questions. The public roars.

Gentle opening notes rise through the air … waltz, of course. Reception to follow. And yes, there will be sparking wine …

[bulgarian version]