Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Circus
While Western circuses grow smaller and scarcer, the Russian versions are like those from
childhood stories - prancing horses with acrobats on their backs, snarling lions and tigers,
heart-stopping high-wire artists and hilarious clowns. No wonder the circus remains highly
popular, with around half the population attending a performance once a year.
The Russian circus has its roots in the medieval travelling minstrels
(skomorokhi),
and
circus performers today still have a similar lifestyle. The Russian State Circus company,
RosGosTsirk, assigns its members to a particular circus for a performance season, then ro-
tates them around to other locations. What the members give up in stability they gain in job
security. RosGosTsirk ensures them employment throughout their circus career.
Many circus performers find their calling not by chance but by ancestry. It is not unusual
for generations of one family to practice the same circus skill, be it tightrope walking or lion
taming. As one acrobat explained quite matter of factly: 'We can't live without the circus.
There are very few who leave.'
Moscow is home to several circuses, including the acclaimed Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoy
bulvar. Its namesake is the beloved clown Yury Nikulin, who is described as 'the honour and
conscience of the Russian circus'.
Speaking of honour and conscience, most of the major troupes have cleaned up their act
with regard to the treatment of animals. In Moscow circuses, it is unlikely you will see an-
imals treated cruelly, though their very presence in the ring is controversial.
Circus
Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoy Bulvar
Bolshoi Circus on Vernadskogo
