The legendary Ukrainian animal tamer, art director and director general of the National Circus of Ukraine, Volodymyr Shevchenko, died on Wednesday, the press service of the Culture Ministry of Ukraine reported.

"Culture Ministry with a deep sorrow reported the death of a Ukrainian circus artist. Today, on October 24 2012, died a Great Master, a legendary animal tamer, whose name has been familiar to every Ukrainian since the childhood, a person whose life since the birth is connected with the circus, Volodymyr Shevchenko, Director General of the National Circus of Ukraine," the text read.

Culture Minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Kulyniak, the personnel of the Culture Ministry express a sincere condolence to his wife, Liudmyla Shevchenko, relatives and friends, artists and all employees of the National Circus of Ukraine.

Shevchenko was born on July 31, 1946 in Omsk into a family of animal tamers.

In 1966 he graduated from the State College of Circus and Variety Arts in Moscow with the specialty of circus artist-gymnast. The same year he was accepted as a trainer of wild animals at Soiuzgostsyrk.

In 1985 he graduated from the Lunacharsky State Institute for Theatre Arts with the specialty of producer of circus and theatre.

From 1970 to 1996 he worked as an art director and director of the Ukrainian circus collective at Soiuzgostsyrk. Since 2000 he was an art director, and since 2007 the director general and art director of the National Circus of Ukraine.

For achievements in the circus art he was awarded with several state honors.