The head of the Russian State Circus, Sergei Belyakov, reported that the state circus company staged 2,805 events in 2023. He noted a steady rise in performance frequency, with the average number of shows per circus increasing by 11 percent compared with the previous year, signaling growing audience demand and expanding seasonal programming. In total, more than 3.4 million Russian spectators visited the company’s circuses last year, and auditorium occupancy climbed to 71 percent, up from 66 percent in 2022. This pattern reflects a robust rebound in live entertainment and steady audience engagement across the circuit. (Source: Russian State Circus)
Belyakov pointed out that the highest attendance was concentrated in the company’s halls located in St. Petersburg, with other branches operating in St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Saratov, Tyumen and Novosibirsk. The distribution of visitors underscored the strong regional appeal of the program, while ongoing infrastructure and talent development contributed to sustained interest across diverse markets. (Source: Russian State Circus)
He also highlighted a notable shift in family participation, noting that Russians increasingly attended circus performances with children. In 2022, 28 percent of the audience visited shows two or more times; by 2023, repeat attendance rose to 32 percent. This uptick suggests enhanced family value in live circus experiences and a growing habit of making circuses a regular family outing. (Source: Russian State Circus)
Additionally, the Russian State Circus organized four international circus festivals for the first time in its history, expanding the company’s global footprint. These events served as platforms for artistic exchange, new acts, and collaboration with foreign artists, reinforcing the circus’s role on the world stage. (Source: Russian State Circus)
In its outreach efforts, the company reported that 180 circus performances were conducted in the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, reaching around 240,000 spectators. Looking ahead, the plan for 2024 includes at least 60 demonstrations in the DPR and 155 demonstrations in the LPR, reflecting a continued commitment to bringing performances to diverse communities. (Source: Russian State Circus)
“For the Russian State Circus Company, last year was not only a year of statistics but also a year of ambitious projects, creative achievements, and high-profile corporate collaborations,” Belyakov emphasized. The remarks framed 2023 as a period of artistic growth and organizational momentum that positioned the circus for broader impact in the years ahead. (Source: Russian State Circus)
Throughout the year, the branches of the Russian State Circus, with support from national defense ministry channels, organized 96 family-oriented performances dedicated to families of service members and mobilized citizens, drawing more than 93,000 spectators. This initiative highlighted the circus’s role in community support and morale-boosting cultural programming. (Source: Russian State Circus)
In total, more than 250,000 people participated in the Russian State Circus social events during 2023, underscoring the organization’s broader social engagement alongside its entertainment offerings. (Source: Russian State Circus)