Where did the circus come from? Irkutsk welcomes guests

Do you like clowns and trained animals? When was a circus visiting your city? Irkutsk can answer this question that the touring guests constantly delight the northerners with new exciting programs. Recall what guests were in the summer season of 2014 in this Siberian city. To begin with, a little about the history of the creation of the Irkutsk center of cultural and entertainment leisure.

Since when does the circus exist in the capital of Angara? Irkutsk in 2014 celebrates anniversary

Just a few months later, in December, the circus will celebrate a half-century anniversary. But in fact, fifty years have passed since the only stone building built in 1964. Until that time, the Irkutsk circus functioned as a troupe of artists with its changing repertoire for a very long time. If you believe the story, at the end of the XVIII century, namely in 1795, Irkutsk first visited the Mikoletto circus with his troupe, which included both acrobats and trained animals. Later, in 1868, another wizard settled in the city - Soulier (Italian master). He even built a modest wooden structure on his own savings.

But the local people did not rejoice for long. The fire of 1900 destroyed the circus. In its place, periodically erected temporary structures, then built a circus tent. And only in the aforementioned 1964 in Irkutsk appeared a stone building for 1732 spectators. Now the circus not only gives its own performances, but also happily invites guests from other regions.

Seven Wonderful Program

Not so long ago, in May-June of this year, a circus tent was visiting. Irkutsk met "7 wonders of the world." The presentation program included the following numbers:

- attraction with lions and tigers "King of the jungle";

- trained dogs "Dog Freestyle";

- an attraction with pythons, camels, llamas, monkeys, etc. "Tales of the East";

- the transformation of man into fire and an aquarium;

- power number with a car.

And, of course, there were those without whom the circus cannot be called a circus - clowns, jugglers, equilibrists, illusionists. The view mode was as follows:

In the middle of summer, the Moscow circus came. Irkutsk met the show "Ice Planet"

To replace the "7 miracles" in the city came a troupe of circus skaters. The performance numbers were very diverse and colorful. The main characters were, of course, jugglers, acrobats, tightrope walkers and trainers. At the same time, a lot of animals masterfully skated. At the height of summer, the Moscow circus gave an off-season performance. Irkutsk ice show was greeted with an unusually friendly and homely warmth. Although the winter theme for the northerners, unlike the southern inhabitants of Russia, is not a curiosity, all the numbers were accepted by the audience with a bang. Particularly notable was the last performance, which differed from all previous ones in an unusual theme - the celebration of the birthday of the new artist.

Touring surprise - the birth of a sea lion cub

An extraordinary event was marked by the arrival of Muscovites. The summer tour with the Ice Planet program was planned to be completed in the capital of the Angara region in mid-July. But the birth of a new artist - a sea lion cub - delayed the Moscow circus in the city. Irkutsk became the homeland for the cub. At the last presentation, a competition was held to assign a nickname to a pet. In a box specially established for this near the ticket office, spectators dipped drawings of a sea ​​lion and notes with invented names. It is this last performance that the Moscow circus on ice will surely be remembered for. Irkutsk gave a name to the new artist. Of the many options chosen the most original and fair. Now the sea lion proudly bears the name Irkut. Very funny, isn't it? A real Siberian, although born in the midst of summer.

Unfortunately, now the city circus does not have its own functioning troupe with artists. But the building itself is never empty. Some guest performers replace others. So, in addition to Russian artists, foreign delegations also visit the city circus, delighting the audience with their unique colorful performances. These are troupes from France, Germany, Poland, Hungary, China and many other countries. A constant accompaniment of miracles is the local circus orchestra. Visit the Irkutsk Circus!