From childhood, many people remember a bright dome soaring into the sky, peals of laughter, funny clowns, flexible acrobats and amazing magicians taking rabbits out of their hats - this is a big top. What is the story behind the familiar name? How did traveling circuses appear, wandering along the endless roads and carrying with them a festive mood, joy and miracles?
First jesters
Traveling big tops are a continuation of an ancient tradition. Artists entertaining the public with jokes and tricks have always existed. They performed the most important function: with the help of laughter and fun, they freed the audience from fears and tension. Ridiculing injustice, the jesters brought variety to the familiar dim world and led people away to where freedom, joy, independence from reigning evil reigns.
Jugglers and hystrions performed at fairgrounds in Medieval Europe, and dorboses performed in Central Asia. In Russia, the tradition of laughter was proudly carried to the masses by buffoons. They huddled together in gangs and moved from city to city, performing at squares and fairs. ATtheir arsenal included dances, songs, tricks and funny scenes, acrobatic performances, juggling, tricks with trained animals, fisticuffs. Temporary buildings were built for performances. In the old days, such tents for trade or entertainment were called "booths".
Top - what is this?
Permanent circuses began to appear in the 18th and 19th centuries. They were a resounding success. In pursuit of financial success, traveling circuses began to be created. For their construction, light masts were used, on which a durable canvas was stretched. They called the design "big top", which in French means "cap, upper part". Most often, the tents were painted in red and yellow stripes to attract the attention of the townspeople.
The first big top was a summer circus, spread out on the Champs Elysees in the 30s of the 19th century. Traveling troupes have become widespread in America and other countries. In Russia, the first circus tent appeared in 1830. His stop was in Moscow's Neskuchny Garden.
Traveling circus today
Modern tents are tents equipped with high-tech equipment. The hardest work of mounting the dome, arena, installation of barriers for animals and special belts, ropes, ladders for aerial tightrope walkers falls on the shoulders of the stage workers. A lot of time is spent on establishing lighting, sound. The tent is heated with heat guns. But the weekend comes and the circus opens its doors.
It still has an atmosphere of adventure, fun andjoy, as it was in the days of buffoons. Spectators are transported to a world where people fly at a height of several meters, objects appear from the air, animals obediently jump through a fiery hoop and laughter rings, driving away all troubles and problems.
