Various forms of circuses were always in existence but the modern version is believed to have emerged some time in the second half of the 18th century, in London, United Kingdom.
Russia's former ruler Catherine invited English trick rider and impresario Charles Hughes to set up a riding school in St Petersburg, and circus quickly spread in Russia, eventually producing its own dynastic families - the Durovs, Zapashnys, Kios, Kantermirovs and may others.
Since it requires great skill, the state funded many schools in Moscow to teach the art. Some of the performers are, in fact, ex-Olympians.
Over the years, circuses have become a major cultural ambassador for the erstwhile Soviet Union.
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