Paulina Schumann #1 (From Raffaele De Ritis)

PAULINA1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The Government of Catalunya (Spain) announced in Barcelona that Paulina Schumann will be the recipient of the 2008 National Award of Culture, "for her outsanding career achievement as dancer, acrobat, animal trainer, high school rider" and for becoming a "circus icon of 20th century". Paulina Andreu-Rivel (b.1926) is the daughter of legendary clown Charlie Rivel, then marrying late Albert Schumann. She was the first after WW II to renew the concept of presentation in liberty horses and high school with themed act, modern music from movies or classic, the most luxurious costume changes and the use of theatrical lighting or smoke effect. Is from the Schumann style that took inspiration the modern horse presentation style of Knie, Gruss, etc. She was the star of London winter seasons, with Mills at Olympia then at Harringay's arena. Last time I visited Paulina was in the last fall at her home in Spain: she is very well, with strong energy and a wonderful memory.