The performances of the National Circus of Ukraine attract full houses even during wartime
This is reported by Kyiv24
The National Circus of Ukraine in Kyiv, despite the challenging circumstances of wartime, continues to be one of the most beloved cultural institutions in the capital. According to General Director Vladislav Korniyenko, audiences consistently attend performances, and the team finds new ways to engage the public.
Innovative Approaches to Attracting Audiences
Two years ago, the circus launched a unique format called “Excursion,” which allows visitors to see behind the scenes and learn more about the work of the performers. For these excursions, a special “dramatization” has been developed, making the journey through the circus structured and interesting. Vladislav Korniyenko himself has personally conducted over 70 such excursions for the guests of the institution.
An important feature of the National Circus is its own costume department. As the director explained, costumes for each performance are created individually, and currently, the circus holds over two thousand unique costumes in its collection.
“We design the costumes ourselves, create the designs, sew them… – says the director. – We have more than two thousand costumes stored in our warehouses. We wash them, clean them, repair them, and display them for exhibitions…”
High Attendance and Development of Creative Potential
According to Vladislav Korniyenko, during just part of the theatrical season, the number of visitors exceeded 20,000, with an average audience occupancy rate of 60–70%. This figure is one of the highest among similar institutions in Ukraine. No other circus conducts as many performances in such a regular manner.
“We show 4-5 performances every week. The only period we pause is summer: July-August. At the beginning of the war, the National Circus only stopped in February, March, and April. By May, we had already started rehearsals, and by the end of June, we were showcasing a performance, – shares Vladislav Korniyenko.
In addition to the main performances, three festivals are held annually at the National Circus, with significant attention given to involving young artists in the creative process. According to the director, it is here that a full team of artistic and creative staff works, which cannot be found in any other circus in the country.
“We are the only circus in Ukraine that has a complete set of artistic and creative personnel,” – says the director.
The head of the circus emphasizes that the future of circus arts is closely linked to the future of the state. Despite all the difficulties, the National Circus of Ukraine continues to develop and remains an important element of the country’s cultural life.
The full conversation with the General Director of the State Enterprise “National Circus of Ukraine” Vladislav Korniyenko can be viewed here.