International Circus Day. History and traditions of International Circus Day
Today April 16 and every year, on the third Saturday of the month, all circus performers and circus lovers celebrate one of the most fun holidays - International Circus Day.
The Circus Association has created a new holiday
website / Day in history. Purpose of this holiday not only to show the circus as it really is, but also to preserve the memory of all those who devoted their lives to this wonderful branch of culture. Circus lovers live all over the planet, their ages range from young to old, because circus is for everyone.
The creation of this holiday was inspired by the performance of the European Circus Association ( European Circus Association) and the World Circus Federation (Federation Mondiale Du Cirque) in 2009, which operate under the patronage of Princess Stephanie of Monaco. It was then that Princess Stephanie and the President of the European Circus Association, which has 21 circuses, told all circuses about the initiative to create an annual holiday - International Day circus, the celebration of which took place for the first time in 2010 and thus became a holiday that is celebrated every year in all countries.
The initiator of the holiday in 2008 was the headquarters of the World Circus Federation, which is located in Monte Carlo. Since the first European Circus Day was held on April 19, 2008, it was therefore proposed to celebrate Circus Day on the third Saturday of the month.
Many countries celebrate national circus days. For several years in Russia there have been debates about the establishment Russian day circus, since there is no specific day in Russia. On the day of the celebration of the first International Circus Day, it was celebrated by more than 25 countries, together with Russia.
Despite the fact that circus is one of the ancient forms of art and mentions of riders, jugglers, equestrians, and acrobats date back to the times of the Ancient World, in the form in which we can observe circus art now, it appeared only in late XVIII century. The unofficial founder of the circus is considered to be the rider Philip Astley, who conducted various experiments and found that the diameter of the circle in which it is convenient for horses to perform various tricks while galloping is a circle of 13 meters. These recommendations are still used today in almost all circus arenas in the world.
Since Astley was an excellent horseman, he performed his tricks while on a horse. Later, in the arena, clowns, trainers, tightrope walkers and acrobats began to join him. TO mid-19th centuries, circus genres expanded. For example, when the safety net appeared, the tricks associated with it were quite complicated.
The emergence of the circus in Europe
In Europe, the circus, in its current form, appeared much earlier than in Russia. The oldest circus is considered to be Gaetano Ciniselli's circus, located in St. Petersburg, which still operates today. Famous Nikitin brothers, were the founders of the Russian circus, as they were the first to give a circus performance called “Russian Circus of the Nikitin Brothers” in the city of Penza, Saratov region. Later, they opened many circuses throughout Russia.
Circus in the modern sense is acrobatics, illusionism, clowning, pantomime, musical eccentricity, sideshow and many other genres. One of the most famous circuses in the world is the Canadian “Cirque of the Sun (Cirque du Soleil), or Chinese acrobatic circus"Paradise show from the Middle Kingdom." In America there is the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, which is known for modernizing the circus business; there is also the famous French Fratellini Circus, in which the main role is played by clowns.
Russian circus
In Russia the most famous circus The Great Moscow State Circus, which is located on Vernadsky Avenue, is considered to be the largest circus station in the world. Over the entire period of its existence, it has released more than 100 different programs, in which the most best artists foreign, and of course, our circus. Names associated with the circus are known throughout the world, such as Vitaly Lazarenko, Oleg Popov, Yuri Nikulin, Mikhail Shuidin, Anatoly and Vladimir Durov, Williams Truzzi and Valentina Filatova, who created the “Bear Circus”.
Many circus teams make up entire dynasties. Such names as Kio, Zapashny, Tuganov, Doveiko, Durov, Kantemirov, Volzhansky were included in the golden fund of the Russian circus. Many films have been made about this art form, thousands of books have been written, and a lot of festivals have been created. The oldest festival takes place in Monte Carlo, where awards similar to the Oscars are awarded.
On International Circus Day, many circuses open their doors to everyone. Circuses are making free shows of masters obsolete, holding various exhibitions, carnivals and programs. International Circus Day is important event for all those who love the circus in all its forms.
Along with the development of human civilization, entertainment art has progressed and changed. Over time, it managed to become an integral part of people's lives. Therefore, it is not surprising that over the years humanity has come up with more and more new types of art for entertaining people. The circus is rightfully considered one of the most significant, valuable and spectacular types of entertainment art. In many ways, it was circus performances, the purpose of which is to demonstrate the funny and eccentric, that had a huge influence on the development of modern entertainment art.
Now, like many other types of entertainment art, the circus has undergone significant changes. Nowadays, circus performances have become larger, more interesting and unusual than they were before. And this is understandable, because it is much more difficult to surprise a modern viewer. Therefore, in modern circus performances In addition to classic performances by clowns and acrobats, there are magic tricks, balancing act and trained animals.
A feature of all modern circus troupes is that they cannot all constantly perform in the same city, since the program of performances changes quite rarely. Residents of the same city are not interested in watching the same program, then circus troupes have to move from place to place. That is, at this point they are no different from a traveling circus.
Today, the programs of all circus troupes differ from each other. These differences can be both dramatic and insignificant. The level of performances demonstrated by certain troupes also differs. Therefore, only a few circus troupes become truly famous throughout the world. Perhaps the most popular circus group today is Cirque du Soleil. Hundreds of thousands of people all over the world want to attend their performances. However, not only this Canadian circus has interesting program, but many other troupes around the world also have interesting and original acts in their stock. It is therefore not surprising that circus, which is one of the most spectacular forms of art, is so popular throughout the world. Looking at such popularity, it becomes clear why International Circus Day was established.
history of the holiday
Like many other forms of art, circus has its origins in Ancient Rome. However, in fairness, it is worth noting that although the ancient Roman circus was very popular, it is completely different from modern performances.
After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the circus did not disappear anywhere. For example, several circuses were built in Paris, in which Parisians were shown certain performances. But all of them were not of interest, since people preferred the theater. Therefore, the circuses were broken down and abandoned.
However, already at the end of the eighteenth century, everyone in the same Paris began to revive interest in circus performances. They began to build new large arenas where unusual performances were shown. These new programs attracted viewers. Therefore, from Paris the circus began to spread to Italy and England, and then to others. European countries. At the same time, the circus came to Russia, where the people fell in love with it.
As you can see, at the circus rich story, which provided big influence on modern culture. Therefore, this type of entertainment art deserves its own holiday, just like theater.
The first International Circus Day took place in 2010, when the European Circus Association, based in Monte Carlo, and the International Circus Federation proposed establishing this holiday. They explained their proposal by the fact that people began to lose interest in such an amazing art form as the circus. In addition, with the help of such a holiday, these two organizations decided to introduce viewers to behind the scenes life circus troupes and rehearsals. They also wanted to draw people's attention to the fact that the circus had a great influence on the development of modern culture.
Initially, only 25 countries supported the idea of the holiday. Russia was no exception, circus school which is one of the best in the world. Already on next year 39 countries already took part in the celebration. As part of the celebration of the second International Circus Day, more than a hundred thematic events took place. More than 150 circus troupes performed at these events. In addition to young groups, real leaders of the industry, for example, the Soleil and Medrano circuses, joined the celebration.
In 2012, the number of countries celebrating this holiday increased to 46 states. That is, every year International Circus Day attracts more and more popularity.
The date of celebration (the third Saturday of April) was not chosen by chance, since it was on this day in 2008 that the European Circus Day took place, which pursued approximately the same goals.
How to celebrate and celebrate International Circus Day
Despite the fact that this professional and cultural holiday was established relatively recently, it managed to acquire certain traditions and customs. So, on this day, circus troupes prepare special festive performances. Some circuses organize open days on this holiday, the purpose of which is to attract attention to the industry. In addition, some arenas host charity performances by circus troupes. On the same day, all over the world great amount street circus performances and carnivals. That is, this holiday is truly fun and joyful.
Holidays are an integral part of our social life, many of which concern us personally, our loved ones and friends.
Almost every day in Russia some holiday is celebrated.
The human world is full of entertainment. The origins of many of them are in the distant past. These are, for example, theater, cinema, amusement parks. The same can be said about the circus. The latter was dedicated to a separate holiday: International Circus Day. It is celebrated on every third Saturday in April. In 2019, International Circus Day falls on April 20.
General information about the holiday
International Circus Day appeared in 2010 on the initiative of two organizations: the World Circus Federation (Federation Mondiale Du Cirque) and the European Circus Association. At first it was an exclusively European holiday. And, by the way, the solemn date itself was tied to that of the European Circus Day, which has existed since 2008. And in 2010, by and large, it simply acquired international status, which became possible thanks to the support that the idea received from dozens of European states, including Russia.
International Circus Day is a very emotional holiday. Its goal is quite transparent: development in all countries of the planet circus art. This is very important because the latter is one of the oldest species world art and culture. The circus gives its spectators laughter, joy, in one word - positivity. Circus performances taking place in the arena make children experience incomparable pleasure, and adults - temporarily escape from their own problems and troubles. The circus is a place of rest from the hustle and bustle, it’s different, fairy world, located very close to us. And one of the tasks of International Circus Day is to preserve this miracle, created by the hands and creative thought of mankind, as well as to improve it.
On every third Saturday in April on International Circus Day, anyone can go to the circus of their own or a nearby city, see the brightest, most colorful shows, and also take part in master classes held as part of the holiday by jugglers, acrobats and other employees of the institution, where atmosphere of lightness and fun. In many countries around the world, International Circus Day is a day of carnival processions and street celebrations. Another interesting opportunity provided to citizens within the framework of the announced solemn date is that, if desired, they can plunge into the world of the circus behind the scenes. What you see will make you fall even more in love with entertainment that has deep historical roots.
It should be noted that the world circus has its own headquarters. It is located in Monte Carlo - a small-sized kingdom. Princess Stephanie of Monaco herself monitors the development and activities of the Circus Federation, being the patron of the organization. She also became the initiator of the creation of this association, the main goal of which was to popularize circus art and attract public interest in it.
If we talk directly about our country, then in Russia a lot is also being done in this area. Solving organizational issues related to the International Circus Day, as well as the development and maintenance of domestic circus art as such, is the responsibility of representatives of the Russian State Circus Company. The latter is nothing more than a union of the largest circuses in the country. This organization established its own award, awarded for special merits in the circus arts. She is also the personification, a kind of emblem, of International Circus Day in Russia. This award is a figurine of a cheerful Harlequin standing on one hand on a circus ball.
Circus art
And why not on this wonderful April holiday - International Circus Day - talk about the history of the emergence of circus art.
When did circus art begin? This question is quite easy to answer if you remember antiquity. IN ancient Hellas Holidays dedicated to pagan gods were often organized. These celebrations were accompanied by brilliant performances by actors - is this not a prototype of the modern circus? In Ancient Rome, this trend was developed even more, because the great power had numerous circuses, in the arena of which real circus acts were demonstrated for the amusement of the audience. The well-known Colosseum is rightfully considered one of the famous ancient Roman circuses. Our country has also distinguished itself in this regard. Since ancient times, buffoon booths and fairs have existed here, charging people with enduring fun for a long time. Even the dark Middle Ages were marked by numerous scenes in which cheerful jesters took part.
A full-fledged circus with tightrope walkers, jugglers, acrobats and trained wild animals appeared more than late Europe. However, at first the performances took place on the street or in specially designated places, and the circus, as a rule, was nomadic. And only in XVIII century Finally, a real stationary circus appeared, settling in a building with a round arena and a domed roof. It opened in London in 1777 (according to other sources in 1768). The author and owner of the circus was Philip Astley. Initially, the round arena was intended for theatrical performances involving mainly horses. Later, you could see numbers in other genres here: historical melodramas, plot musical performances, extravaganzas. By the way, it was Philip Astley who was credited with determining the diameter of the circus arena (13 m). He also became the founder of the first circus dynasty. In 1782, a branch of the Astley Amphitheater opened in the French capital. In general, the circus of the resourceful Briton existed until 1895 and was considered a very popular entertainment establishment in London.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the circus performance dramatically changed its structure. The stationary circus acquired clowns: carpet handlers and trainers. The tricks have become more complex trapeze artists due to the introduction of the safety net into circus practice. As a result, a number called “cross flight” was performed for the first time, and the role of “lovitor” also appeared.
The art of tightrope walkers has undergone some changes. In particular, the hemp rope was replaced with a metal cable, which had greater strength. This allowed the tightrope walkers to master complex acrobatic pyramids. The technical revolution of those years gave the go-ahead for the introduction of various mechanisms into circus art. As a result, absolutely incredible performances such as “extravaganza on the water” or “races along a vertical wall” began to be demonstrated in the arena. Subsequently, this trend was further improved, and today we have the opportunity to enjoy circus performances, developed taking into account all the latest technical innovations.
Each country has its own leaders in the field of circus art, but only a few of them managed to become famous throughout the world. Earth. What world circuses are included in the list of the best? This is, undoubtedly, Cirque du Soleil (Canadian “Circus of the Sun”), “Paradise Show from the Middle Kingdom”, Australian Circus “Oz”. It is worth including in this list the Great Moscow Circus on Vernadsky Avenue, famous for its incredible performances with trained animals. Go to the circus more often - and life will seem brighter!
We cordially congratulate all residents of our country on April 20, International Circus Day! We wish you more interesting and exciting performances.
Every year on the third Saturday the entire world circus community and fans of it amazing art celebrate an unusually cheerful holiday - World Circus Day. It was established not only with the purpose of showing the circus in all its splendor and delighting fans of this art new programs and performances, but also aims to pay tribute to the contribution of circus art to culture. After all, not only children, but also adults love the circus, and different corners planets.
The initiators of the establishment of this holiday were the European Circus Association and the World Circus Federation (Federation Mondiale Du Cirque), operating under the patronage of Princess Stephanie of Monaco. Then the President of the European Circus Association, which currently includes 21 circuses, Urs Pils and Princess Stephanie invited all circuses to support the initiative of the annual celebration of International Circus Day, which was first celebrated in 2010 and has since become an annual event for many countries.
By the way, the World Circus Federation (Federation Mondiale Du Cirque), whose headquarters is located in Monte Carlo, was founded in 2008 with the aim of promoting the development of circus art and culture throughout the world. It was she who initiated the holiday dedicated to the circus - in 2008 (on the third Saturday of April) the European Circus Day was held for the first time, and it was decided to continue this tradition with the establishment of world holiday– International Circus Day. Currently, the issue is being discussed with UNESCO regarding the inclusion of this holiday in the list of annually celebrated dates.
It must be said that there are national Circus Days in many countries. In Russia, ideas about establishing such a holiday have been heard for many years, but so far Russian circus performers have not had their own holiday. But an international day appeared. Thus, more than 25 countries, including Russia, took part in the celebration of the first International Circus Day in 2010.
Although the circus is considered one of the oldest forms of art, since the mention of all kinds of performances acrobats, jugglers, horse riders, clowns... date back to the times Ancient World, but in its modern form the circus appeared only at the end of the 18th century. And its founder is considered to be the English rider Philip Astley, who experimentally found that it is most convenient for horses to run and perform tricks in a full gallop in a circle with a diameter of 13 meters. Today, this arena diameter is observed in almost all circuses in the world.
Being a skilled rider, Astley showed various tricks on horses in the arena, and later other artists entered the arena - acrobats, jugglers, tightrope walkers, clowns, trainers... Since the mid-19th century, the number of circus genres has increased and expanded technical capabilities performances and performances. For example, after the introduction of a safety net in the rooms aerial gymnastics it became possible to complicate the tricks.
In Russia, the circus, in its modern sense, appeared much later than in Europe. The oldest circus station is the Gaetano Ciniselli Circus in St. Petersburg, opened in 1877, which is still functioning today. But the creators of Russian national circus considered to be the Nikitin brothers, who, having given the first performance of the “Russian Circus of the Nikitin Brothers” in Penza, subsequently opened a whole network of high-quality circuses in a number of Russian cities.
Modern circus is clowning, acrobatics, balancing act, musical eccentricity, illusionism, pantomime, sideshow and much more. There are thousands of circuses in the world, and a number of them are world famous. For example, one of the most ancient circus troupes in the world is the Chinese acrobatic circus “Paradise Show from the Celestial Empire”, or the Canadian “Circus of the Sun” (Cirque du Soleil), the main advantage of which is that it is not just a separate circus organization, but is a huge circus corporation with offices in several countries around the world. And in the French “Circus Fratellini” the main characters- clowns, and the famous American “Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus” is considered one of the first in the process of modernizing the circus business.
No less famous is our domestic circus. The Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue is the largest stationary circus in the world. During his activity, he presented more than 100 different programs, where the best Russian and foreign circus artists took part. And in the arena of the Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard, one of the oldest circuses in the country, world-famous artists performed - Anatoly and Vladimir Durov, Vitaly Lazarenko, Williams Truzzi with their horses, acrobats Okeanos, tightrope walkers the Koch sisters, magician Kio, clowns Karandash, Oleg Popov, Yuri Nikulin, Leonid Engibarov, Mikhail Shuidin. Valentin Filatov’s “Bear Circus” was created here...
It should also be noted that there are many dynasties in this profession that continue the best circus traditions. The Golden Fund of the Russian Circus includes such famous dynasties as: the Durovs, Zapashnys, Kio, Filatovs, Kantemirovs, Tuganovs, Bagdasarovs, Volzhanskys, Doveikos. And the list of ringmasters can be continued for a long time. Many books and pictures have been written about the circus, many films have been made, and International circus festivals, the oldest and most prestigious of which is the Monte Carlo Festival, where its circus Oscars are played.
In honor of today's holiday, many circuses organize open days, various street events, special programs, exhibitions, carnivals, charity events and other events. International Circus Day is a special event for all masters and fans of circus art, such a kind, slightly naive, but sincere and beautiful miracle, whose name is CIRCUS.
Waved conductor's hand,
Music major roars,
And the drum struck again,
And everyone took their places!
With the initiative of holding an annual world day The circus was performed by the European Circus Association and the World Circus Federation (Federation Mondiale Du Cirque).
The World Circus Federation, headquartered in Monte Carlo, was founded in 2008 under the patronage of Princess Stephanie of Monaco. Federation is non-profit organization, created to promote the development of circus art and culture throughout the world, as well as to represent the interests of the circus at the international level.
The first circus was opened in London in 1777 (according to other sources in 1768) by Philip Astley. It was the first theatrical performance in Europe in a building with a round arena and a dome-shaped roof. Initially, the round arena in the circus existed exclusively for horses. Astley's circus was dominated by equestrian acts: figure riding, training, acrobat jockeys, living pyramids of riders, which were built at full gallop. Astley was the first to show vaulting - a complex gymnastic exercises on a horse moving at a walk, trot and gallop in a circle. He is also responsible for determining the diameter of the circus arena - 13 meters, which was chosen in such a way that the optimal centrifugal force of a galloping horse was created for the rider. In addition to equestrian shows, Astley's circus staged story-driven musical performances, extravaganzas and melodramas. historical topics, which included fencing and equestrian battle scenes. Philip Astley became the founder of the first circus dynasty. In 1782, a branch of his theater opened in Paris. Astley's Amphitheater existed until 1895 and was one of the most popular entertainment venues in London during the first century. half of the 19th century century.
By the beginning of the 20th century, the structure of the circus performance was changing dramatically. In the stationary circus, carpet clowns and clown trainers appear. After the introduction of the safety net, it became possible to qualitatively complicate the tricks of aerial gymnastics, where a new role appeared - “catcher” (an artist who belays and catches flying partners), and the “cross flight” number is performed for the first time. In the art of tightrope walking, the hemp rope is replaced with a stronger metal cable, which makes it possible to perform complex acrobatic pyramids on the rope. With the technical revolution of the early 19th century, performances and attractions based on the use of technology multiplied - from racing along a vertical wall to “flying from a cannon to the moon,” from extravaganzas on the water to new possibilities of illusion.
The origins of the Russian circus were in the performances of traveling buffoon artists, known since the 11th century. In the 18th century, fairground booths became increasingly widespread. folk festivals, where acrobats, gymnasts, and jugglers perform. IN early XIX century, circus performances were held in the arena of Count Zavadovsky in St. Petersburg, a special building was built for equestrian performances on Krestovsky Island. In 1849, a state-owned imperial circus with a special department for training circus personnel. In 1853, a stationary circus was built in Moscow on Petrovka. There were traveling circuses in the provinces. In December 1877, a meeting took place in St. Petersburg Grand opening the first stone building in Russia, built taking into account circus specifics. The initiative to build the circus belonged to the Italian rider and trainer Gaetano Ciniselli, the head of a large circus family.
Currently, there are stationary circuses in almost all regional and major cities Russia.
After October revolution The Main Directorate of Circuses (GUTs), a self-supporting organization that existed within the system of the Committee for Arts Affairs under the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR, was created. In addition to stationary ones, the State Center included traveling circuses and attractions under common name Circus association.
In 1957, the State Center was transformed into the All-Union Association state circuses- SoyuzGoscircus, which led the circus business in the USSR. SoyuzGoscircus provided economic activity circuses; supervised the production work of stationary circuses and circus groups, conducted training and retraining of artists of various genres.
After the collapse of the USSR there was "Rosgostsirk", which became the successor to "Soyuzgostsirk". This is the largest circus company not only in Europe, but also in the world, unites 42 stationary circuses in Russia. The Russian State Circus system, based on the so-called circus conveyor, presents almost 500 original circus acts and programs. Its artistic cadre consists of almost three thousand people, which are replenished by graduates State school circus and pop art named after M.N. Rumyantsev (Karandash), as well as members of amateur circus groups from 70 regions of the country. Almost two thousand animals take part in circus performances.
The program for celebrating World Circus Day over the years - on this day, circus troupes organize open days for spectators and charity events, hold street performances, exhibitions, carnivals and processions with the participation of clowns, gymnasts, acrobats, jugglers and other circus performers.
The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources
