Duo Maxima — the world’s first mixed aerial straps duo
Duo Maxima is the first mixed aerial straps duo in the history of circus arts. The act was created in Ukraine in 2001 by Ukrainian artists Anatolii Bulakh and Marina Bulakh while they were studying at the Kyiv Variety and Circus College. It was there that they began developing their first tricks and shaping a distinctive style that would later become internationally recognizable. Anatolii and Marina performed most actively as a duo across Europe and the Americas until 2015.
Foundations of a unique aerial straps style
The hallmark of this duo’s approach is the fusion of aerial gymnastics with classical ballet. Drawing on these two disciplines, they created entirely new techniques and tricks on straps.
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Anatolii came to the circus from elite artistic gymnastics, providing the act with exceptional strength, precision, and technical depth.
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Marina, a professional ballerina, brought fluidity, elegance, and refined ballet lines to the performance.
Tricks combining powerful strength elements with choreography on pointe became a “classic” of aerial gymnastics and laid the groundwork for many artists working in this genre today. Duo Maxima are credited with inventing and popularizing a number of previously unseen elements, including the “boat”, the double cross, high-altitude partner supports, dynamic one-arm spins, flying releases with flips, and dramatic drops.
Continuing the creative legacy
After concluding their most intensive touring period, Duo Maxima did not leave the circus world. Today, Anatolii and Marina remain actively involved by teaching aerial gymnastics and creating new stage productions, continuing to influence the development of aerial acrobatics.
They currently live in Spain, where they run their own circus school and a company dedicated to artist development and the creation of contemporary circus shows.