Biography

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SirmaHer name is Sirma Dobreva, however many people refer to her as simply "The Contortionist". She is one of the most successful variety-show artists in Bulgaria.

Sirma Dobreva was born in the Bulgarian town of Pleven. In her childhood, she played the piano and danced classical ballet, but those classes did not suit her unique character. That is why she applied to an acrobatics school. A year later she was admitted to Georgi Benkovski Sports School, where she focused on Acrobatics. At the age of 14 Sirma won contest for acrobats in Sofia. She was chosen among hundreds of contestants from all over the country. Immediately after she embarked on her first tour in Austria and after that she was offered a year’s contract to work in Switzerland. This is how at the young age of 16 years old, she started her career. She met the famous Russian equilibrist Valentina Efremova, famous for her handstand act, who initiated her into the secrets of contortionism. After only two months of hard work and training, Sirma was already on stage with her own solo contortionist show. Joint tours followed along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, Israel and Switzerland.

SirmaAfter being in partnership with Efremova for two years, Sirma struck out on her own. Her first independent appearance was in Germany where she enjoyed great success and abundant media interest, but that itself was not enough. Her restless spirit and creative imagination brought about the creation of the unique acrobatic spectacle – “The Mermaid”. This innovatory performance brought recognition and worldwide fame to Sirma. The unparalleled show provoked a great interest in show business. Over the next few years Sirma offered performances on four continents, she visited Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Greece, Turkey, Tunis, Israel, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macao, Las Vegas, Fiji, considering that some of the tours lasted for over a year. She was invited as a guest in the programs of ZDF, Rai Uno, as well as the majority of Bulgarian television programs.

SirmaSirma Dobreva is the first and the only woman in Bulgaria who performs the most complicated contortionist feat: Tsangebis, which is her star number in the Mermaid Show. Excessive concentration, physical force and incredible balance are needed for its performance, since the body is subjected to extraordinary tension and the equilibrist takes an enormous risk.

SirmaSirma is continuing her development, her creative potential brought to the making of another exceptional show, called The Safe. She was inspired for it by the films The Mask, Mission Impossible 2, Blade and others. This show made her the winner of the Icar Award, best variety-show artist for 2006.