August 07, 2022

Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys


Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys
Is Russia the ringmaster? Unsplash, Mark Williams

The Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, Olga Lyubimova, has chosen to "invite everyone" to take part in the festival of circus art in St. Petersburg on November 3-6, including performers from the United States and Ukraine. 

This comes as a surprise, amid heightened tensions after Russia invaded Ukraine in February.

After Russian artists were banned from the International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo, the organizers of the festival in St. Petersburg chose to name the event "Without Borders." Lyubimova commented that "there are no borders behind scenes, there are no borders in the arena... we understand that these are our partners."  In addition to artists from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, the festival says it will feature performers from Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Spain, Turkey, Vietnam, Mexico, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Mongolia, among others.

The general director of the Russian State Circus, Sergei Belyakov, spoke about the international artists who expressed their interest in participating in the festival. Performers from 21 countries have already begun signing contracts as the date of the festival approaches.

For clarification, the minister noted that St. Petersburg may not ultimately be the location of the festival, though it seems that it will remain in Russia: "Perhaps the regions will fight" for which may host the circus, she said.

You Might Also Like

With Mouths Sewn Shut
  • July 15, 2022

With Mouths Sewn Shut

Art is a powerful realm for protest. The Ukraine War has inspired a new wave of brave works.
Artistic Apoliticality
  • July 25, 2022

Artistic Apoliticality

Russian event promoters have begun requiring artists to promise that they won't include political statements in their performances.
A Failure to Perform
  • July 07, 2022

A Failure to Perform

The International Platonov Arts Festival in Voronezh, has been canceled due to current political conditions.
An Anthem of Dissent
  • May 24, 2022

An Anthem of Dissent

A Russian man in Tyumen was arrested for playing the Ukrainian national anthem in public.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955