Hi Mr. Galchenko!

I have two questions:
How do you keep in touch with your children?

And, how hard was it for you to keep Vova and Olga practicing, or were they always willing to practice and train?

-Bernard

"How do you keep in touch with your children?"
E-mails, chats, videochats, Skype, phone talks.
"And, how hard was it for you to keep Vova and Olga practicing...?"
It wasn't hard, because first they wanted to practice themselves, later they just got used to daily routine. Regularity is a key. If a kid knows he has to do some things today and it happens day after day, he/she usually doesn't complain. Plus I tried to make it more fun for them paying them money for all kinds of records, holding all kinds of contests between them... And they always tried to be the best at school, at music school, etc.
"...or were they always willing to practice and train?"
Not always. Sometimes I did make them practicing when they were young.
Vasili

How many people are living in their house and who does it acually belong to

I can take that question, actually. The house belongs to my parents, Barry and Sue Bakalor. In addition to them, my grandmother and gradfather live here as well as Vova, Olga, myself and my two year old daughter.

To Vasili: Thank you.
What a lot of ways to keep in touch.

To Mark: That's a big household!

no question here, just a huge thanks for raising such interesting, dedicated, inspiring children that can bring some joy to the world...thanks again...looking forward to seeing what will come next for your talented children......best wishes to you and your family
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Thanks, Gian!
Vasili and Tatiana

How is the political fiasco of vova going? Is he going to stay here, what's happening. Is he going to be seperated? If so, how long.

Vova and Olga are doing everything possible to gain permanent resident status in the United States and ultimately become U.S. citizens. We have retained one of the top immigration attorneys in Los Angeles to represent them. It is a long, painful, frustrating process that has prevented them from visiting their parents in Russia or having their parents visit here. So far the process has been successful but there is more to be done.

Vova is planning to return to Russia in October and expects to return to the United States within a year. Olga will be beginning her Senior year in high school in September and plans to begin college in the United States the following year. We have every reason to expect that they will both receive permanent resident status.

Vova and Olga and their parents are very grateful for the love and support shown to them by the juggling community throughout the world.

Thanks for the explanation, Mark! We do hope they both will receive permanent resident status. For Olga it is primarily a formality now when her extraordinary ability petition is approved. For Vova it is unclear, but most likely he will be able to get his Green Card as well.

Hello Mr. Galchenko,

How many languages do your children speak? I read in the Time magazine article that neither spoke English when they arrived in the US a few years ago. Both are quite eloquent now, moreso than many people I know who attended college. The writing is flawless and very mature. And they are still teenagers! Is there anything they can't do?

"How many languages do your children speak?"
I guess they speak fluently only two languages, English and Russian. But I think they can speak Spanish and German as well. At least Olga speaks Spanish with a housemaid.
Funny thing is that Olga speaks English better than Russian now. She even told me about taking Russian classes in college. :-)
"I read in the Time magazine article that neither spoke English when they arrived in the US a few years ago."
Actually they spoke fluent English by that time. It's a mistake.
"Is there anything they can't do?"
Getting Green Cards, but they are working on it. :-)
Vasili

Congratulations on your talented children. You have done a wonderful job raising such well adjusted and hardworking offspring. I have seen many ages listed in the articles I have read (The last one stated that Vova was 18 and Olga was 15). How old are they now?
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Thanks! They are still 15 and 18. Olga will be 16 on July 31.
Vasili

hello mr. galchenko,
im a little big fan of olga and vova and i often visited their old website because of the videos. where are the whole videos in the new website? i miss them.
Granit
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Granit, I also want their old website would be available for public, but it looks like my kids don't think so. Now it doesn't depend on me.
Vasili

Heloo Vasiti, I also want to say thank you for bringing beautiful people into this world:)I am very much enjoying watching your children and am interested in following their stories into the future. I saw the Today show and was disappointed in the little time Olga and Vovo received on camera. I wish they would've had more time on camera; but I am happy for them to receive the attention at all. Next, Letterman!!
Be well, Azure
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Thanks, Azure!
Vasili

Hi Vasili,
Brilliant news about Vova's petition being approved, is he still going to be going back to Russia for a while later this year?
Do you and your wife plan to move to America also? I don't know much about American law so don't know if this would be possible.
Well done on raising Vova and Olga so well, it is nice to see such happy, hard-working children. My very best wishes go to them and also to you.
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Hi Cerelia,
"...is he still going to be going back to Russia for a while later this year?"
Yes. Vova still has to leave the United States before 24 October 2006. His petition approval means he will be able to come back to the USA in a few months. Almost for sure.
"Do you and your wife plan to move to America also?"
We don't have such plans now. It is still a long way until our kids will be American Citizens (at least 6 years). Only then we will be able to immigrate to the United States. So we don't think about it now.
Thanks,
Vasili

Yes, please, if you can, further explain what this petition will do for Vova.
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It means now Vova have grounds to get permanent residence status (Green Card). But it will take up to a year to get it. He still will have to leave the United States till 24 October 2006 and wait for his immigrant visa in Russia.
Vasili

Hello Vasili,
First off. I very much so enjoy watching your children juggle. And I'm always very excited to see a new crazy hard juggling video from Vova.
and for Mark or Vasilli,
I live close enough to Santa Monica to drive in about an hour. Is Vova on a regular schedule there? Will he be there tomorrow? I would love to go and give my support and watch his show.
Daniel
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Thanks, Daniel!
"Is Vova on a regular schedule there?"
As far as I know no.
"Will he be there tomorrow?"
Tomorrow he will leave for Las Vegas late in the evening, so most likely no.

Hey there...just wanna ask why Mama Galchenko doesn't have a blog...
we'd be very glad to hear anything from her...
*poof!*
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Unfortunately Mama Galchenko (Tatiana Galchenko) can't type in English. But you may ask her any question. I'll translate her answer into English.
Vasili

Dear Proud Papa,
Olga & Vova participated in the making of the new DVD, Trailblazers: Women Who Juggle. It includes interviews and performances over a period of 5 years. I have complimentary copies for your family. Where should I send them?
Cindy
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Thank you, Cindy!
You may send it to

Galchenko
Prospekt Pobedy 8-38
Penza
440011
Russia

And thank you and Carter for your care of Vova and Olga.
Good luck in upbringing Theo!
Vasili

Cindy, I've emailed you our address. Thanks...

How long per day did Vova/Olga practice juggling?
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Vova practices 3 hours a day. I am not sure about Olga, she just started to practice juggling 2 days ago and I don't know if she is going to keep practicing for more or less long time.
Vasili

Hello Mr.Galchenko. I am very interested in juggling and am quite the casual juggler myself. How did your children become so well known as jugglers? I saw some videos of them at an early age...is this what your family has done for a long time or how did they get started in it? I know you taught them some things but did they want to be jugglers or what? Anyways thank you so much for creating a space for us to ask you our questions. Cheerio.
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Hello Kay.

"How did your children become so well known as jugglers?"
In short hardworking and regular practice from early age.

"I saw some videos of them at an early age...is this what your family has done for a long time or how did they get started in it?"
Well, when Vova was 4, we were looking for some sports club for physical trainings for him. The Circus School was the only organization which took 4-year kids. We thought it would be good for Vova to practice Acrobatics, Equilibristic, and General Physical trainings. They started juggling only from age of 6. Soon Vova became the best among his classmates in all disciplines. Maybe not because of his talent, but because additional trainings at home.
Juggling was the most developed discipline in that Circus School. (Maybe because the director was a juggler.) Vova was featured and often was forced to stay after school for additional trainings for making and developing the juggling act. You can see his first juggling act “Sailors” on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg4qTJzCdCQ
As for Olga I started to teach her juggling from age of 5. I hoped the director of the circus school takes her into some show as well. But in spite of the fact that Olga was the best among her classmates too, she was never taken into any serious act. I don’t know why for sure. I may only guess.
In 2001 Vova and Olga were kicked out from the circus school. Since then they started to practice together seriously. I and mom helped them in any possible way. In 2002 they became well-known in juggling society.

"I know you taught them some things but did they want to be jugglers or what?"
Yes, we taught them many things. They both were the best students in most disciplines at school. But this is totally their choice what they are going to do in their lives. By now Vova wants to juggle (and to my surprise he can make decent money out of pure juggling), Olga wants to enter college and learn Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.
Vasili
P.S. Why do you guys post your questions to July section?

Sorry, I forgot to put this in my last question. :-) If I give you my email address does it go directly to you or is it posted on this site? Thanks again.
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It goes directly to me unless you type it in a message body.
Vasili

I'm Batsy,
from Taiwan,
and I'm 20 y.o

Hi, All
I've studied English sinse this Summer .
It's very difficult for Me! Really hard!
I want like to meet handsome gays and girls and practisice My English with them.

Thanks!!!