Moscow State Circus

circus, Moscow, Russia

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

The Moscow State Circus is a renowned circus company based in Moscow, Russia. It has performed internationally to great acclaim. In 1971, it moved into a larger building and was renamed the Great Moscow State Circus. This circus continued to excel even during the Cold War.1

The circus has a significant history within Russia's performing arts scene. Following the Russian Revolution, circuses were seen as a form of entertainment accessible to all social classes. By the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia had over 70 permanent circus buildings and approximately 50 traveling companies. Notable companies like the Bolshoi Moscow Circus and the Moscow Russian Circus continue to thrive.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

circus
Clowns
…through his tours with the Moscow Circus. Wearing a minimum of makeup in the tradition of European Auguste clowns, he appeared in the ring with little to set him apart from the others except a slightly unconventional wardrobe. Like other great comedians of the world, his mere appearance brought anticipatory…
Read More
…through his tours with the Moscow Circus. Wearing a minimum of makeup in the tradition of European Auguste clowns, he appeared in the ring with little to set him apart from the others except a slightly unconventional wardrobe. Like other great comedians of the world, his mere appearance brought anticipatory…
Read More

circus
Circus schools
…has been associated with the Moscow Circus since 1929. After four years of rigorous course work, graduates are assigned to the nearly 100 circuses that perform throughout the country. In 1985 the French Ministry of Culture and Communication opened a four-year professional school for circus artists, the École Supérieure des…
Read More
…has been associated with the Moscow Circus since 1929. After four years of rigorous course work, graduates are assigned to the nearly 100 circuses that perform throughout the country. In 1985 the French Ministry of Culture and Communication opened a four-year professional school for circus artists, the École Supérieure des…
Read More

Russia
The 20th century
…the spectacular presentations of the Moscow State Circus, which has performed throughout the world to great acclaim. Using since 1971 a larger building and renamed the Great Moscow State Circus, it excelled even in the darkest of the Cold War years.
Read More
…the spectacular presentations of the Moscow State Circus, which has performed throughout the world to great acclaim. Using since 1971 a larger building and renamed the Great Moscow State Circus, it excelled even in the darkest of the Cold War years.
Read More