The third Saturday in April annually hosts a worldwide holiday, International Circus Day. The European Circus Day, founded in 2008, appears in the history of the formation of the celebration. Two years later, the date received international status, and since 2010, specialists involved in the production of positive mood have their own professional holiday.
The obvious relationship of the words compasses, circus, circulation is dictated by the same Latin root, circus, literally translated as "circle". Indeed, in terms of the shape of the circus buildings, they evoke round associations. Although the very first arenas were not strict circles in plan, they were elongated, closer to oval, because they had a slightly different purpose than now. Then, when these buildings were called circuses, they were used as hippodromes, stands for gladiator competitions or baiting animals.
In the Middle Ages, the spectacles given to the people in circuses were supplanted by theaters. Round buildings dilapidated, started up, abandoned and broken, ceasing to perform an entertainment function. After all, they could not be adapted for any other activity, the premises for theatrical performances and mysteries assumed a completely different device, the markets did not take root here, as these buildings were also not suitable for dwellings.
Only at the end of the 18th century, around 1777 (according to other sources, 1768), the English rider Philip Astley came up with the idea of making money on the art of riding. As a balancing jockey, he was fond of vaulting (acrobatics in equestrian sports) and decided to popularize this spectacle. He opened a school and built an entertainment facility for viewing. Astley quickly realized that the track on which the horses galloped must be closed.
Empirically, the optimal diameter of the arena obtained inside this circle was determined. It depended on the average dimensions of the horses, the speed of their movement. Thus, a certain angle of inclination was achieved, which was necessary for acrobatic equestrian performances. Since the average performance of circus animals and their speed characteristics are the same all over the world, the radius of the circus arena calculated in this way is used everywhere.
A little later, jugglers, mimes, animal trainers, clowns and aerialists joined the acrobats of equestrian balancing act. This was done later by another surname, the Franconi Italians. It is in this form that classical circus art has come down to us. Nevertheless, Philip Astley is considered to be the father of the modern revived circus.
Now circus art is international and has its own headquarters. It is located in the Principality of Monaco, in the Monte Carlo region. The patronage of the World Circus Federation is carried out by the royal family of this dwarf state.
On International Circus Day, it is customary to arrange the most spectacular programs, consisting of the most successful numbers, to hold master classes and interactive shows in which everyone can feel involved in the empire of excellent mood, positive spirit and celebration.
Along with the development of human civilization, entertainment art has progressed and changed. Over time, it has become an integral part of people's lives. Therefore, it is not surprising that over the years mankind has come up with new types of art to entertain 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 impact on the development of modern entertainment art.
Now, like many other forms of entertainment art, the circus has undergone significant changes. In our time, circus performances have become larger, more interesting and unusual than they were before. And this is understandable, because the modern viewer is much more difficult to surprise. Therefore, in modern circus performances, in addition to the classic performances of clowns and acrobats, there are tricks, tightrope walking and trained animals.
A feature of all modern circus troupes is that all of them cannot constantly perform in the same city, since the program of performances changes quite rarely. Residents of one city are not interested in watching the same program, then circus troupes have to move from place to place. That is, in this moment they do not differ from a traveling circus.
Today, the programs of all circus troupes differ from each other. These differences can be both dramatic and minor. The level of performances that these or those troupes demonstrate 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 see their performances. However, not only this Canadian circus has an interesting program, but many other troupes around the world also have interesting and original performances in their stock. Therefore, it is not surprising that the circus, which is one of the most spectacular forms of art, is so popular all over the world. Looking at such popularity, it becomes clear why International Circus Day was established.
history of the holiday
Like many other art forms, the circus has its origins in ancient Rome. However, in fairness, it should be noted that the ancient Roman circus, although very popular, 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 did not enjoy interest, since people preferred the theater. Therefore, the circuses were broken 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, which showed unusual performances. These new programs attracted viewers. Therefore, from Paris, the circus began to spread to Italy and England, and then to other European countries. At the same time, the circus came to Russia, where the people fell in love with it.
As you can see, the circus has a rich history that has had a great impact on modern culture. Therefore, this kind of entertainment art deserves its own holiday, like the 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 to establish 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 acquaint the audience with the behind-the-scenes life of 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, the circus school of which is one of the best in the world. Already next year, 39 countries 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 teams, the real meters of the industry, such as 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 the 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 was held, 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 draw attention to the industry. In addition, some arenas host charity performances by circus troupes. On the same day, a huge number of street circus performances and carnivals take place around the world. That is, this holiday is truly cheerful and joyful.
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 created a new holiday
website / A day in history. The purpose of this holiday is not only to show the circus as it really is, but also to preserve the memory of all those who have dedicated their lives to this wonderful branch of culture. Circus lovers live all over the planet, their age is from young to old, because the 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 Federation of the Circus (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 Circus Day, which was celebrated 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, that is why it was proposed to celebrate Circus Day on the third Saturday of the month.
Many countries celebrate national circus days. For several years there have been disputes in Russia about the establishment of the Russian Circus Day, 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 the circus is one of the ancient forms of art and the mention of riders, jugglers, riders, acrobats dates back to the times of the Ancient World, in the form in which we can observe circus art now, it appeared only at the end of the 18th century. The implicit founder of the circus is the rider Philip Astley, who conducted various experiments and found out 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 used to this day, in almost all circus arenas of the world.
Since Astley was an excellent rider, he performed his tricks while on horseback. Later, in the arena, clowns, trainers, tightrope walkers and acrobats began to join him. By the middle of the 19th century, circus genres were expanding. For example, when the safety net appeared, the trick numbers 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 is the Gaetano Ciniselli circus located in St. Petersburg, which still operates today. Known brothers Nikitin, were the founders of the Russian circus, as the first gave a circus performance called "Russian Circus of the Nikitin Brothers", in the city of Penza, Saratov region. Later, they opened many circuses throughout Russia.
The circus in the modern sense is acrobatics, illusionism, clowning, pantomime, musical eccentricity, interlude and many more different genres. One of the most famous world circuses is the Canadian "Circus of the Sun" (Cirque du Soleil), or the Chinese acrobatic circus "Paradise Show from the Middle Kingdom". In America, there is the Circus of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey, which is known for the modernization of the circus business, there is also the famous French Circus Fratellini, in which clowns play the main role.
Russian circus
In Russia, the most famous circus is the Great Moscow State Circus, which is located on Vernadsky Avenue, this is the largest circus station in the world. Over the entire period of its existence, more than 100 various programs were released in it, in which the best artists of the foreign, and of course, our circus took part. The names associated with the circus are known all over 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 surnames as Kio, Zapashny, Tuganov, Doveiko, Durov, Kantemirov, Volzhansky, were inscribed in the golden fund of the Russian circus. Many films have been made about this art form, thousands of books have been written, a lot of festivals have been created. The oldest festival takes place in Monte Carlo, where awards similar to the Oscars are played.
On International Circus Day, many circuses open their doors to everyone. Circuses obsolete free shows of masters, hold various exhibitions, carnivals and programs. International Circus Day is an important event for all those who love circus in all its manifestations.
The European Circus Association and the World Circus Federation (Federation Mondiale Du Cirque) initiated the annual World Circus Day.
The World Circus Federation, headquartered in Monte Carlo, was founded in 2008 under the patronage of Princess Stephanie of Monaco. The Federation is a 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 domed roof. Initially, the round arena in the circus existed exclusively for horses. Astley's circus was dominated by equestrian numbers: figure riding, training, acrobat jockeys, living pyramids of riders that were built at full gallop. Astley was the first to show vaulting - a set of gymnastic exercises on a horse moving at a walk, trot and gallop in a circle. He also has the merit of determining the diameter of the circus arena - 13 meters, which was chosen in such a way that an optimal centrifugal force is created for the rider by a galloping horse. In addition to equestrian performances, the Astley Circus staged narrative musical performances, extravaganzas and melodramas on historical themes, including fencing and horse battle scenes. Philip Astley became the founder of the first circus dynasty. In 1782, a branch of his theater was opened in Paris. Astley's Amphitheater existed until 1895 and was one of the most popular places of entertainment in London in the first half of the 19th century.
By the beginning of the 20th century, the structure of the circus performance was changing dramatically. Carpet clowns and trainer clowns appear in the stationary circus. After the introduction of the safety net, it becomes possible to qualitatively complicate the tricks of aerial gymnastics, where a new role has appeared - a "catcher" (an artist who insures and catches flying partners), and the number "cross flight" is performed for the first time. In the art of tightrope walkers, the hemp rope is replaced by 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, numbers and attractions based on the use of technology multiply - from racing along a vertical wall to "flying from a cannon to the moon", from extravaganzas on water to new possibilities of illusion.
The origins of the Russian circus were in the performances of itinerant buffoons, known since the 11th century. In the 18th century, fair booths at festivities, where acrobats, gymnasts, and jugglers perform, became more and more widespread. At the beginning of the 19th 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 imperial circus was opened in St. Petersburg with a special department for training circus personnel. In 1853, a stationary circus was built in Moscow on Petrovka. Traveling circuses worked in the province. In December 1877, the grand opening of the first stone building in Russia, built with circus specifics in mind, took place in St. Petersburg. 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 large cities of Russia.
After the October Revolution, the Main Directorate of Circuses (GUTS) was created, a self-supporting organization that existed in the system of the Committee for Arts under the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR. In addition to stationary, the GTC included traveling circuses and attractions under the general name of the Circus Association.
In 1957, the GCC was transformed into the All-Union Association of State Circuses - Soyuzgostsirk, which led the circus business in the USSR. Soyuzgostsirk provided economic activity of circuses; supervised the staging work of stationary circuses and circus groups, conducted training and retraining of artists of various genres.
After the collapse of the USSR, there was the "Rosgostsirk", which became the successor to the "Soyuzgostsirk". This is the largest circus company not only in Europe but also in the world, it unites 42 stationary circuses in Russia. The "Rosgostsirka" system, based on the so-called circus conveyor, presents almost 500 original circus numbers and programs. Its artistic staff consists of almost three thousand people, who are replenished with graduates of the State School of Circus and Variety Art named after M.N. Rumyantsev (Pencil), as well as members of amateur circus groups from 70 regions of the country. Almost two thousand animals participate in circus performances.
The World Circus Day celebration program 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 artists.
The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources
Today, the circus is one of the most unusual and revered art forms. Demonstration of fun and original in circus programs had an impact on the development of modern spectacular art, because the circus is always relevant.
Circus performances reached grandiose proportions. Each new production surprises and shows something unusual to the modern audience. Therefore, the performances contain not only the performances of the theatrical group, but also tricks, dangerous tricks, and the skills of trained animals.
Story
Circus Day celebration was held in 2010 for the first time. Two major international organizations offered to patent and hold this holiday:
- European Circus Association.
- International Circus Federation.
The proposal to create a holiday was justified by the almost complete lack of interest of young people in the circus as an art form. In addition, the holiday includes an acquaintance of curious spectators with the inner world of the circus, the life of actors, their rehearsals.
In the first year of the celebration, the idea was supported by no more than 30 countries, and Russia was among the celebrating states, whose circus school has an international level. By the next year, about 40 countries have already decided to take part in the celebration, and this is more than 100 thematic productions. In general, about two hundred circus troupes organized events to celebrate the day of the circus. Already in 2012, the number of celebrating countries increased to 47. The organizers are young teams of cultural cities and industry meters, demonstrating their skills.
April 16 was not chosen by chance as the celebration of International Circus Day. This day has gone down in history since 2008, when Europe first celebrated this holiday, pursuing the same goals.
Traditions
Considering that the holiday was patented recently, professionals and spectators have already managed to reward it with special traditions.
To attract spectators and young professionals, many circuses on this day invite everyone to a special program that attracts visitors not only to visit them on holidays, but also to get acquainted with the planned performances of artists. Circus troupes hold festive festivals, in most cases - charitable ones.
The mood of the public is supported by clowns and carnival participants who took to the streets of the cities of the world. Performances that cheer up the residents of the city create an atmosphere of joy and carelessness on this day.
