Planning an amusement for the whole family, from the children to the grandparents might seem a pretty challenging task to do, but honestly, it's remarkably simple. One of the most popular entertainments in Russia and particularly Moscow from old time till now is going to the modern or traditional circus. Russia with over 500 genuine circuses around its enormous land, and also owning a few internationally known circuses among them is one of the principal countries in the entertaining industry notably for circus acts and mixed performances.
History of the first-ever circus in the Tsvetnoy Boulevard goes back to 1880 when the Russian-Italian merchant Albert Salamonsky found the ideal spot for placing a circus in the street. Tsvetnoy Boulevard means the colorful Boulevard because of the many colorful gardens up and down of the street. Since the opening till now, the Tsvetnoy Boulevard hosted three different circuses through time, but people in Moscow always referred to them as the Circus in The Tsvetnoy Boulevard. The acts in the circus were limited to the clowns, gymnasts, and the horses during the past.
In the years 1886 and 1888, The Nikitin Brothers attempted to compete with Salamonsky twice. The first time, they bought the Panorama building behind the Salamonsky Circus which Salamonsky bought it back from them with 30000 Rubles offering and also a signed paper in which the Nikitin Brothers agreed to never compete with Salamonsky in Moscow. The second time, the Nikitin brothers returned to Moscow with an excuse of that it was their brother who signed that paper which then left the other two to run his circus elsewhere, but fortunately for Salamonsky, their profit didn't satisfy them, so they left only after a year. The Nikitin Brothers established many circuses in Russia and Moscow, they've competed with Salamonsky circus until he passed away, in 1913.
In 1917, only a few months before the Russian Revolution, Akim Nikitin passed away, his son Nikolai fulfilled his spot in circus management. Meanwhile, the artists and employees in Salamonsky circus elected Yuri Radonsky as their manager. After the revolution, circuses in Moscow and all Russia nationalized as like everything else in Russia. Following the circuses nationalized, many foreign artists and employees who helped to bring glory to the Russian circuses forced to leave the country including Nikolai Nikitin who enforced to give up on his father's circus which he built personally.
Until 1921, many people attempted to bring the circus' past glory back, but they badly failed. At last, Russian-Italian Williams Truzzi who was a Soviet citizen got the manager title of the Tsvetnoy Boulevard Circus from the Soviet Committee for the Arts. In 1926, since there were not enough experts to run two circuses at once, Nikitin Circus closed so only one circus be acting at the time. However, that incident led to the establishment of State College for Circus and Variety Arts, in 1929. Truzzi passed away, in 1931, and till 1936 when the circus went under Circus Central Management administration, the circus operated locally. The first thing Circus Central Management did was restoration and modernizing the old circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard. When the modernized circus opened again, in 1937, not only the circus seats were fewer, but also only the greatest of Russia invited to perform in the circus. The circus host Union Circus Competition in the last days of the Second World War which the competitors were graduated students from the State College for Circus. The event got warm welcome that year and became an annual competition since then. After the war, the circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard became the principal circus in Moscow, and all the artists fancied to perform in its ring.
The circus management assigned to the actor and comedian Yuri Nikulin, in 1982. Under his management, the circus witnessed a few emotional moments such as the last performance in the old circus before going under a full renovation, in 1985. After restoration, in 1989, the circus was able to operate again with modern equipment and installation. Yuri Nikulin gave his position as the manager of the circus to his son Maxim who put so much effort to get back the circus independent from Circus Central Management, in 1987. After that Yuri Nikulin passed away in 1997, his son changed the circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard to the Nikulin Circus, and also put a bronze monument of Yuri Nikulin in his clown suit, getting out of his car, in front of the Nikulin Circus.
Today, after so many years of performing and entertaining Moscovites and tourists, the Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard is still the most favorite and beloved circus in Moscow and Russia. This traditional circus with its fun and entertaining programs which can make everybody from children to grandparents laugh might be the best place for the families and group to have fun for a few hours. The fact that the narrator speaks only in Russian doesn't mean that you need to learn the language to enjoy every second of the show.
The circus name comes after the famous clown and actor Yuri Nikulin means that the best part of the show which is the most popular among audiences is probably the circus' clown performance. The great thing about this part is that the performance is completely nonverbal, and he only uses mime, funny clothes, and funny actions to communicates with audiences. He even invites people from the crowd to charmingly played with him in the ring.
When the acrobats and gymnasts stepped into the ring, you know that you're going to observe a few exciting performances. The aerial acrobatics act, dance on the rope in the air, the trapeze show is only a part of the impressive shows that circus offers you.
As we said before, the Nikulin Circus is a traditional one which means that you would expect animals act at least for the half of the show. The animals such as lions, tigers, bears, kangaroos, horses, dogs, parrots, and rabbits which each one has a unique ability to show. Lions flew through the rings of fire, bears play and move on the balls, elephants move on their hands, dogs wear cute clothes, acrobatics acts on the back of moving horses, odd yet funny boxing with kangaroo, rabbits’ magic, and many more entertaining and funny shows that makes you feel alive after lots of laughter and joy.
Russia with its bright history in circus shows, and of course, the Nikulin Circus amongst all might be the greatest in business inside the entertaining world. The Nikulin Circus which is the most popular amongst both Moscovites and tourists is the best traditional circus in the world that you're going to need more than words to describe its beauty and glory for the people who haven't seen it yet. The circus gathered expert artists and employees, animal trainers, and the best clown in the business to perform, and also, treating and maintaining the circus' animals the best way possible leads to the point that the Nikulin Circus became the first choice for anyone who wants to have a fun and delightful night with their family. If you want to have a delightful night plus a few hours of fun for you and your family, you should put aside a few hours of your time in your travel to Russia and Moscow to visit this circus and its fabulous performances, because the circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard is on the top of every Russia tour agencies' lists.
You can always find more information about Moscow top attractions and entertainments in our blog at the Star Travel Group site just like our brief guide about how to travel to Moscow here.
