It was established not only to show the circus in all its splendor and to please fans this art new programs and performances, but also called to pay tribute to the contribution of circus art to culture. After all, the circus is loved not only by children, but also by adults, and in different parts of the world.
The initiators of the establishment of this holiday were in 2009 the European Circus Association (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 today includes 21 circuses, Urs Pils and Princess Stephanie invited all circuses to support the initiative of the annual celebration international day circus, which was first celebrated in 2010 and has since become an annual event for many countries.
By the way, the World Circus Federation, headquartered in Monte Carlo, was founded in 2008 to promote the development of circus art and culture around the world. It was she who initiated the holiday dedicated to the circus - on April 19, 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 the world holiday- International Circus Day. And now the issue is being worked out with UNESCO regarding the inclusion of this holiday in the list of annually celebrated dates.
It must be said that national days there are circuses in many countries. In Russia, ideas about the establishment of such a holiday have been heard for many years, but so far Russian circus performers have not had their own holiday. But there was an international day. 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 ancient species art, since the mention of all kinds of performances of acrobats, jugglers, riders, clowns ... dates 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 the English rider Philip Astley, who empirically established that it is most convenient for horses to run in full gallop and perform tricks in a circle with a diameter of 13 meters. Today, this diameter of the arena is observed in almost all circuses in the world.
Being a skilled rider, Astley showed various tricks on horseback in the arena, and later other artists entered the arena - acrobats, jugglers, tightrope walkers, clowns, trainers ... Since the middle of the 19th century, the number of circus genres has increased and the technical possibilities of performances and numbers have expanded. For example, after the introduction of a safety net in the rooms aerial gymnastics there was a possibility of complicating tricks.
In Russia, the circus, in its modern sense, appeared much later than in Europe. The oldest circus hospital is the Gaetano Ciniselli circus in St. Petersburg, opened in 1877, which still functions today. But the founders of the Russian National Circus are 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 good-quality circuses in a number of Russian cities.
The modern circus is clowning, acrobatics, tightrope walking, musical eccentricity, illusionism, pantomime, sideshow and much more. There are thousands of circuses in the world, and a number of them have world fame. For example, one of the oldest circus troupes in the world is the Chinese acrobatic circus "Paradise Show from the Middle Kingdom", 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 "Circus of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey" is considered one of the first in the process of modernizing the circus business.
No less famous is our domestic circus. Big Moscow state circus on Vernadsky Avenue - the largest stationary circus in the world. During his activity, he presented more than 100 different programs, where best artists Russian and foreign circus. And on the arena of the Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard, one of the oldest circuses in the country, world-famous artists performed - these are Anatoly and Vladimir Durovs, Vitaly Lazarenko, Williams Truzzi with their horses, acrobats Okeanos, equilibrist sister Koch, magician Kio, clowns Pencil, Oleg Popov, Yuri Nikulin, Leonid Yengibarov, Mikhail Shuydin. Valentin Filatov's "Bear Circus" was created here...
It should also be noted that there are a lot of dynasties in this profession that continue the best circus traditions. Such famous dynasties as the Durovs, Zapashnys, Kyo, Filatovs, Kantemirovs, Tuganovs, Bagdasarovs, Volzhanskys, Doveiko are inscribed in the Golden Fund of the Russian circus. And the list of masters of the arena can be continued for a long time. A lot of books and pictures have been written about the circus, many films have been shot, international circus festivals, the oldest and most prestigious of which is the Monte Carlo Festival, where their circus Oscars are played.
In honor of today's holiday, many circuses arrange Days open doors, various street actions, 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, a little naive, but sincere and wonderful miracle, whose name is CIRCUS.
13.04.2017
World Circus Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of April. Circus art is designed to color dull everyday life bright colors. Cheerful clowns, gymnasts soaring under the dome, virtuoso magicians give children unforgettable impressions and emotions of delight. Despite all the deceptive ease with which circus artists perform their tricks, this craft requires extraordinary effort, dedication and love for the audience.
The first time this holiday was celebrated in 2010. The initiator of its creation was the World Circus Federation. In the coming years, World Circus Day will be celebrated on the following days.
- 2017 - 15 April.
- 2018 - 21 April.
- 2019 - 20 April.
- 2020 - 18 April.
- 2021 - 16 April.
From the history of the circus
The circus originated in Ancient Rome. But, his performances were quite cruel and differed significantly from modern show programs. Instead of merry clowns, resourceful conjurers and dexterous tightrope walkers, an enthusiastic audience watched chariot races, gladiator fights and other activities in this spirit.
A more modern version of the circus appeared in 1777 in England, when professional rider Philip Astley arranged acrobatic show. It was he who noticed that horses should gallop in a vicious circle, so the circus arena was created.
Circus Day celebration
On World Circus Day, everyone can visit circus performances in their city, see an enchanting show, and also take part in master classes conducted by jugglers, magicians, acrobats and other circus artists.
In many countries, Circus Day is celebrated with carnival processions and mass street festivities. Entertainment programs often include a visit to the circus backstage, where the audience can see with their own eyes the forge of art that has deep historical roots.
Circus traditions
The headquarters of the circus is located in Monte Carlo. Its activities are supervised by the Princess of Monaco, Stephanie. royalty initiated the creation of an association, the purpose of which is to draw public attention to the circus craft.
In some countries there are circuses that have continued their tradition for more than a hundred years. Dynasties of artists work here, passing their skills from father and mother to children. "Paradise Show from the Middle Kingdom" (China), "Circus of the Sun" (Canada) and more.
A ticket to a circus performance is relatively inexpensive, and the artists of this organization are working on creating a performance long time putting yourself in danger. Sometimes their skill reaches perfection. They overcome great difficulties for the love of the viewer.
Spectacular performances of acrobats, funny jokes clowns, gymnasts flying under the dome and animal trainers - all this is a circus. To world society was able to fully appreciate the contribution of this art form to culture, a holiday was dedicated to it.
International Circus Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of April every year. In 2019, it falls on April 20.
Story
The initiator and creator of the celebration is the World Circus Federation. This idea was supported by the European Circus Association. Most of all, the circus performers themselves were delighted with the new holiday. In 2010, they celebrated their professional day at the international level for the first time.
Two years earlier, European Circus Day was celebrated on the third Saturday in April. In order not to break the tradition, the date of the new holiday was left unchanged.
The first circus built in ancient Rome bore little resemblance to what is considered a classic entertainment circus, complete with clowns and trained bears. The Romans used the circus as a place for horse racing and chariot racing. There were also fights between gladiators. Entertaining people is the only similarity between the circus that was in the Roman Empire and the one that is familiar to contemporaries.
After the collapse of the Empire, circuses lost popularity and ceased to operate until the 18th century. Resurrection and a new look, which resembled the usual in the XX century, the circus craft is obliged to the British Astley. The first performance of the father and son was held in Paris. On the built round arena they showed numbers with horses and acrobatic exercises.
In the German city of Stuttgart, a circus bear has been issued a driver's license.
The arena in the circus has a strict size. Its diameter is 13 m. This value is optimal for horses running in a circle at a gallop.
In circus jargon, throwing sharp objects is called "palisade art."
Perhaps one of the most vivid memories of every person from childhood is going to the circus. Aerial acrobats, dancing animals, as well as clumsy and unusually funny clowns allow you to forget about the real gray world and be transported to the world of colors, smiles and eternal fun. However, labor circus artists is very complex, and often involves a significant risk to life. Therefore, the world annually celebrates International Circus Day on the third Saturday of April.
The history of the holiday
The idea to establish the World Circus Day belongs to several well-known companies - the Circus Association of Europe, International Federation circus. So, in 2010, this wonderful professional holiday of circus artists appeared. The date of the celebration of such an event was chosen as the date of the European Circus Day, introduced in 2008. Thus, the date of the celebration of the Day of the Circus in Europe passed to a new holiday, which was insisted on by many states of the world, including Russia.
The purpose of founding such a holiday is to draw public attention to the importance of the development of circus art. This is indeed extremely important, since circus art is one of the most ancient, and main task of any circus is to give the audience the maximum amount of pleasure, joy and surprise. It turns out that all circuses work only for smiles and entertainment of the audience, improving their mood. Therefore, Circus Day aims to support a circus that can move spectators to Magic world, full of colors, unusual animals and funny clowns, preserving such an ancient and useful art.
On the third Sunday of this month, everyone can join the celebration of the International Circus Day. At this time, many circuses give visiting performances, and masters of circus art conduct original master classes for spectators, allowing everyone to try themselves as acrobats, jugglers or tightrope walkers. Celebrating Circus Day ordinary people have the opportunity to enter the circus arena and feel like actors, clowns and even trainers, and therefore appreciate the incredible skill and titanic work of such specialists.
Many people do not even realize that the circus has its headquarters located in the mini-kingdom of Monte Carlo. The famous patroness of the circus is the Princess of Monaco. She personally monitors the work of the Circus Federation and the development of such art. At the same time, such a crowned person is one of the initiators of the creation of such a Federation, which is engaged in popularizing the activities of the circus, as well as attracting public attention to the problems of the circus.
In Russia, many measures are also being taken to support circus art. There is even a specialized State Circus Company of Russia, which is engaged in supporting the Russian circus, as well as attracting public attention to the main problems of this area. Similar main company Russia, dealing with the problems and development of the circus, is an association of the largest circuses in the country. It provides for the presentation of an unusual award to people who have achieved great success in circus activities. The prize is a specific figurine of a laughing harlequin clown, holding on to a circus ball with one hand.
How did the circus start?
The first circuses are considered to be fun performances in ancient Hellas dedicated to the glorification of pagan deities. Such festivities were attended by costumed actors, who are the prototype of modern clowns. In the Roman Empire, even more attention was paid to the circus, because there were many full-fledged circuses here, where artists regularly delighted the audience with complex and interesting numbers. One of the main circus arenas in Rome is the legendary Colosseum, which is the most popular ancient Roman building that has survived many eras. It is noteworthy that in Russia circus art also developed rapidly, which is confirmed by skomorosh performances, as well as fun fairs, where various actors and craftsmen who tamed wild animals performed. At the same time, even the harsh Middle Ages, which is the era of the birth of the first cultural formations, is also distinguished by the presence of circus performances. At that time, merry games and feasts were arranged, the entertainment of which was jesters and trainers, acrobats and dancers.
The first professional circus, which included performances by trainers of predatory animals, aerial acrobats, tightrope walkers and skilled jugglers, appeared only a few centuries later in Europe. However, such a circus was not held in pavilions, but simply on the street or in previously prepared places. If we talk about the first circus under the dome with round arena, it arose only in London (18th century). Since then, circus art has been constantly improved, and the fame and popularity of the circus has grown rapidly. With the advent of the Internet, as well as films with spectacular special effects, the popularity of the circus has decreased significantly. But there are many people who respect the genuine play of real artists who can bring smiles, give joy and inspire children to believe in real miracles.
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:. It is celebrated every third Saturday in April. In 2019, this holiday falls on the 20th day of the specified spring month.
General information about the holiday
International Circus Day appeared in 2010 at the initiative of two organizations: World Federation of the Circus (Federation Mondiale Du Cirque) and the European Circus Association (European Circus Assotiation). 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, she by and large, simply acquired an 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: the development of circus art in all countries of the planet. This is very important, since the latter is one of the oldest types of world art and culture. The circus gives its audience laughter, joy, in a word - positive. Circus performances unfolding in the arena make children experience incomparable pleasure, and adults get distracted from their own problems and troubles for a while. 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 the International Circus Day is the preservation of this miracle, created by the hands and creative thought of mankind, as well as its improvement.
On every third Saturday of April, anyone can go to the circus of their own or nearby city, see the brightest, colorful shows, as well as participate in master classes held within the framework of the holiday by jugglers, acrobats and other employees of the institution, where an atmosphere of lightness and fun always reigns. In many countries of the world, International Circus Day is a day of carnival processions and street festivities. Another interesting opportunity provided to citizens within the announced solemn date is that, if desired, you can plunge into the world of the circus behind the scenes. What you see will make you fall 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 follows the development and activities of the Circus Federation, being the patron of the organization. She also became in due time the initiator of the creation of this association, the main objective which is the popularization of circus art and the attraction of public interest to it.
If we talk directly about our country, then in Russia a lot is also being done in this area. The solution of 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 an association of the largest circuses in the country. This organization has established its own award, awarded for special merits in the circus arts. It is also the personification, a kind of emblem of the International Circus Day in Russia. This award is a figurine of a cheerful Harlequin standing on one arm on a circus ball.
circus art
When did circus art begin? This question is easy enough to answer if we recall antiquity. In ancient Hellas, holidays were often organized dedicated to pagan gods. These celebrations were accompanied by bright performances of actors - why 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 numbers. One of the famous ancient Roman circuses is rightfully considered the notorious Colosseum. Our country has also excelled in this regard. From time immemorial, buffoon booths and fairs have existed here, charging the people with enduring fun for a long time. Even the gloomy Middle Ages were marked by numerous scenes in which funny jesters participated.
A full-fledged circus with tightrope walkers, jugglers, acrobats and trained wild animals appeared already in later 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 with the participation of mainly horses. Later, one could see performances in other genres here: historical melodramas, plot musical performances, extravaganzas. By the way, it is Philip Astley who is credited with determining the diameter 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 resourceful British circus lasted until 1895 and was considered a very popular entertainment institution in London.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the circus performance dramatically changed its structure. The stationary circus has acquired clowns: carpet and trainers. The tricks of aerial gymnasts have become qualitatively more complicated due to the introduction of a safety net into the practice of circus. As a result, a number called "cross flight" was performed for the first time, and the role of "catcher" 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 tightrope walkers to master complex acrobatic pyramids. technical revolution of those years gave the green light to the introduction of various mechanisms into the circus art. As a result, absolutely incredible performances such as "fairy tales on the water" or "racing on a vertical wall" began to be demonstrated in the arena. Subsequently, this trend has been further improved, and today we have the opportunity to enjoy circus performances, designed with all the latest technical innovations.
Each country has its own leaders in the field of circus arts, 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, no doubt, Cirque du Soleil (Canadian "Circus of the Sun"), "Paradise show from the Middle Kingdom", the Australian circus "Oz". It is worth including 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!
