Circus Kobzova Union

Circus Kobzova Union (Ukrainian: Циркова спілка Кобзова) is an all-Ukrainian public organization founded in Kyiv on 19 September 2002 by Mykola Kobzov. It operates as a charitable and cultural association dedicated to the promotion and development of circus art in Ukraine and abroad, the support of beginner and professional circus artists, veterans, and the establishment of international circus contacts. The organization is closely linked to the commercial circus brand "Kobzov Circus" (Цирк Кобзов), which runs a network of chapiteau circuses and related entertainment venues. The Union unites 15 chapiteau circuses, concert halls, a circus art museum, and more than five hundred individual members, including artists and workers of various circus professions. Its activities span public events, television projects, international festivals, and educational initiatives. The organization has partnered with the Kyiv State College of Variety and Circus Arts and various circus studios to support young talent. Key projects include the opening of the Allegro Hall concert venue in 2006, the first Circus Art Museum in Ukraine in 2007, and the world's first dolphinarium under a circus dome in 2008. The Union also publishes circus-related media, such as the first Ukrainian circus magazine "Gastrol" in 2009, and operates a children's circus school and a circus props shop in Kyiv since 2010. While the Union itself is a non-profit public organization, it is intertwined with the commercial activities of the Kobzov Circus brand, which tours extensively in Ukraine, Russia, and other CIS countries. The organization remains active and continues to organize cultural and charitable events.

Circus Kobzova Union was founded in Kyiv on 19 September 2002 by Mykola Kobzov as an all-Ukrainian public organization. Its primary goals included popularizing circus art in Ukraine, promoting Ukrainian circus art internationally, supporting beginner and professional circus artists, supporting circus veterans, establishing contacts with international circus organizations and festivals, conducting international circus projects in Ukraine, and organizing tours for Ukrainian artists both domestically and abroad. In 2004, the Union began touring activities with Kobzov chapiteau circuses, starting in Russia after a debut in Moscow. That same year, the first music album of 14 circus songs with lyrics by Mykola Kobzov was released. In 2005, with the Union's support, a book by M. A. Rybakov titled "History of the Kyiv Circus" was published. On 20 June 2006, the Allegro Hall concert venue opened, becoming a site for large-scale shows. In 2006, Princess Stéphanie of Monaco visited Allegro Hall during her first trip to Ukraine to select the best Ukrainian circus acts for international festivals. She returned in 2012 for the same purpose, selecting acts for her international children's circus festival in Monte Carlo. On 21 May 2007, the first Circus Art Museum in Ukraine opened on the initiative of Mykola Kobzov. The museum's collection exceeds 2,000 exhibits, including early posters, rare photographs with autographs, artists' costumes, reviews and articles, visual materials, a library of circus books, circus props, paintings, drawings, posters, sculptures, festival awards, and circus booklets. Over 30,000 children and adults had visited the museum free of charge. On 6 June 2008, graduation exams were held at the Moscow Rumyantsev State College of Circus and Variety Arts. Mykola Kobzov was invited to serve on the commission alongside circus masters such as M. M. Zapashny, V. M. Savina, M. Yu. Nikulin, and B. V. Fedotov. On 12 December 2008, in Kyiv, Kobzov Circus presented the world's first dolphinarium under a circus dome, called "Kobzov Aqua-Show." The project featured dolphins, beluga whales, fur seals, sea lions, and a walrus. During 2009–2010, the Aqua-Show operated simultaneously in four Ukrainian cities: Kyiv, Berdiansk, Lviv, and Dnipropetrovsk. Dolphinariums were built in the largest CIS chapiteau circuses "Kobzov" with 3,000 seats, specially brought from Switzerland. In 2009, the first Ukrainian circus magazine "Gastrol" was published. In 2010, a children's circus school opened in Kyiv, along with a circus props shop. Throughout its history, the Union has cooperated with various state, public, charitable, and circus organizations, including "Circus on Stage," the Academy of Variety and Circus Arts, UkrDerzhKontsert, and the Ukraine Palace of Culture. It has organized documentary films, numerous TV and radio programs, and interviews about the lives and creative work of chapiteau circus artists. The Union also partners with the Kyiv State College of Variety and Circus Arts and various circus studios to support young talent and preserve circus traditions and dynasties.

• 2012

  Princess Stéphanie of Monaco revisited Allegro Hall to select circus acts for Monte Carlo festival.

• 2010

  Children's circus school and circus props shop opened in Kyiv.

• 2009

  First Ukrainian circus magazine "Gastrol" published.

• 2008

  World's first dolphinarium under a circus dome, "Kobzov Aqua-Show," presented on 12 December.

• 2007

  First Circus Art Museum in Ukraine opened on 21 May.

• 2006

  Allegro Hall concert venue opened on 20 June; Princess Stéphanie of Monaco visited.

• 2005

  Book "History of the Kyiv Circus" by M. A. Rybakov published with the Union's support.

• 2004

  Start of touring activities of Kobzov chapiteau circuses; first music album of 14 circus songs released.

• 2002

  Circus Kobzova Union founded in Kyiv by Mykola Kobzov.

A cultural and charitable organization promoting Ukrainian circus art, closely associated with the commercial Kobzov Circus brand.

• Kobzov Circus chapiteau shows

  Touring circus performances under chapiteau tents, a core activity of the Union's associated brand.

• Kobzov Aqua-Show

  World's first dolphinarium under a circus dome, featuring dolphins, beluga whales, fur seals, sea lions, and a walrus.

• Allegro Hall

  Concert venue opened in 2006 for large-scale shows and events.

• Circus Art Museum

  First circus museum in Ukraine, with over 2,000 exhibits, opened in 2007.

• Gastrol magazine

  First Ukrainian circus magazine, published in 2009.

1. 1Wikidata: Circus Kobzova Unionwikidata.org
2. 2Wikipedia (Ukrainian): Циркова спілка Кобзоваuk.wikipedia.org