Gomel Circus from the beginnings to our days

The circus is always a colorful and unforgettable spectacle, in which the spectator feels himself a participant of all this extravaganza of a grand scale. Therefore, his language does not require translation, this is a kind of art that is close and understandable to children and adults.

From the history of the circus

The history of the Gomel Circus begins at the end of the 19th century. It was a wooden unheated building, where between the artists made of plywood, between the performances. Spectators with pleasure came to the performances of visiting circus troupes.

During the revolution of 1917 the building of the circus burned down. New built in nine years. It, like the previous one, had neither heating nor a wardrobe. Have constructed a building of a circus again from a tree. The auditorium was designed for 2000 seats. The war did not spare the building, it burned down, like many other buildings in the city. In the post-war years, only visiting circus tents were touring here, and circus collectives formed at various venues.

New circus building

The decision to build a stationary Gomel circus was taken only in 1964. A modern glass and concrete building was commissioned on December 2, 1972. The building of the circus consists of several volumes. The bowl of the auditorium, the arena and the orchestral stage, covered with a spherical dome, are the central and main part. In the lower rectangular floor there are: a cash desk, wardrobes, bathrooms, a cafe. The huge windows serve as a constantly operating original painted advertisement.

The construction of the building is so unique that it allows you to work with the most complex programs of the Gomel Circus. These include a circus on the water, a circus on the ice, the most complicated numbers of aerial gymnasts. In the auditorium there are comfortable armchairs covered with vinyl chairs. The equipment of the circus with modern radio technology makes it possible to provide audibility at every place. Under the dome, a complex apparatus is suspended, which regulates the entire representation.

Zakulis and territory next to the circus

Circus rooms, such as make-up rooms, a dining room, a large warm-up hall, a medical center and the circus arena itself, are completely at the disposal of artists. In the backstage there are huge warehouses for props, freezers for storing animal products with a separate kitchen for cooking their food, a stable, elephants and large premises for predators. In October 1974, the hotel, built next to the circus, was put into operation for 160 seats, intended for tour artists. It is not empty, since all the programs that take place during the circus season, from September to May, include the numbers of individual artists and bands invited to the Gomel Circus.

In 2006, the local circus troupe was awarded the title of Honored Collective of Belarus. In the same year, after the reconstruction of the square near the circus, a monument was erected to one of the most favorite clowns of all generations of spectators - M.N. Rumiantsev, the famous Pencil, and his Blot. Reconstruction touched and some internal premises. So, the auditorium is currently designed for 1544 seats.

In Memory of Gomel

One of the favorite and visited recreation places for Gomel residents and guests of the city is, of course, the circus. Children are especially happy. According to statistics, more than 20 million spectators visited the performances of the Gomel Circus. Who did not see the audience on the arena! There were well-known Zapashny brothers with their tigers, "Dancing on the wire" performed by Sergei Shitov, "Acrobats on the poles" directed by Sergei Vasilyev, "Bears on horses" attraction under Chepyakova, Emil and Igor Kio with amazing illusions. The circus remembers Carpet Pencil with Klyaksa. On tour came circus artists from Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic. Having at its disposal a unique technical equipment, the circus provides its premises for concerts, matinees for children and all kinds of presentation events.

Circus Art

Representations on ice and water in circuses are a rare phenomenon, but not for the Gomel Circus, where the program can be implemented through technical equipment. And did anyone think about how much time it takes to train a bear to skate? The number, which lasts about three minutes in the circus program, is prepared and rehearsed throughout the year. During the ice performance, circus performers also skate in their rooms. Looks nice when the acrobats land on the ice on an unstable blade, and not on a level playpen. The juggler, who rushes around the circus arena on the ice, strikes with his ability not only to throw objects up, but also to stand confidently on skates. But behind these instants of the circus program is the work and training of the circus performers. And who such an animal trainer in the circus and where you can learn this skill? Such a question arises in the children. It turns out that training is the only profession that is not taught in circus colleges. This talent, the ability not only to love their pets, but also to understand their psyche and habits.

We can say that in the circus there are brave people who can do complex tricks, they are nomads by nature, as they do not sit still, but travel around with their numbers around the world. But the main thing is people who bring joy to the audience. Tickets for performances can always be purchased at the ticket offices or ordered by phone at the Gomel Circus, listed on its official website.