STORY: Hundreds of circus artists and thousands of spectators gathered on Saturday (August 2) in Staritsa, a small town in central Russia for a street circus festival known as "Karandash Fest".

The one-day festival, named after famous Soviet clown Mikhail Rumyantsev, who performed under a stage name Karandash (Pencil), attracted circus lovers from all across the central Russia, with many travelling from Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Staritsa, a small town with ancient history is mainly famous for its churches and monasteries and the extravagantly-dressed circus artists stood in contrast against the classical outlines of the churches.

Despite modern day entertainment rapidly going digital, circuses will still be loved, many festival goers told Reuters.

When asked about the role of humour in life, circus artist at Anima Allegra, Valery Koft, said that a joke helps people overcome times of uncertainty and conflicts. "People want to laugh anyways. They need festivals, they need their souls to be joyful," he said.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: STARITSA, RUSSIA (AUGUST 2, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. CIRCUS ARTIST MARCHING, WAVING FLAG, CROWD OF CIRCUS ARTISTS AND SPECTATORS IN BACKGROUND

2. CROWD OF CIRCUS ARTISTS AND SPECTATORS MARCHING TOGETHER ON BRIDGE

3. GROUP OF CIRCUS ARTISTS COSTUMES PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AS THEY MARCH

4. VARIOUS OF CIRCUS ARTISTS, SPECTATORS MARCHING TOGETHER TOWARDS FESTIVAL VENUE

5. CIRCUS ARTIST PERFORMING ON STAGE

6. SPECTATORS SITTING ON STEPS LEADING TO CHURCH

7. VARIOUS OF PERFORMANCE

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) CIRCUS ARTISTS OF "ANIMA ALLEGRA" CIRCUS, CLOWNS, YURI MIKHAILIK, STAGE NAME "YURIK" (RIGHT) AND IGOR YAROSHEVICH, STAGE NAME "GARIK" (LEFT), SAYING (ASKED WHAT MAKES CLOWN CIRCUS PERFORMANCES SPECIAL):

(YAROSHEVICH): (Charlie) Chaplin performed speechless, he started from circus. If you remember, Gaidai (Famous Soviet film director, author of many comedies films) had all of his comedy scenes without words. Now it's mostly about words in humour.

(MIKHAILIK): Circus and humour in general is a very philosophical question, one can speak forever. But, the energy exchange (between performer and audience) in circus is very sincere.

(YAROSHEVICH): With risks for life

(MIKHAILIK): It's either "yes" or "no", no other options included. It involves everyone - acrobats, when they fly, but clowns as well."

9. CLOWN SINGING ON STAGE

10. CROWD IN FRONT OF STAGE

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) CIRCUS ARTIST OF "ANIMA ALLEGRA" CIRCUS, CLOWN, VALERY KEFT, SAYING (ASKED IF HUMOUR HELPS IN HARD TIMES):

"It's the first time in my life when the times are uneasy, I grew in in socialism when everything was quiet. I get it, conflicts do happen, conflicts of interest, political, military, long-term strategic and so on...But people want to laugh anyways. They need festivals, they need their souls to be joyful. By the way "Anima Allegra" translates as "Joyful Soul."

11. VARIOUS OF SPECTATORS LOOKING, YOUNG CIRCUS ARTISTS PERFORMING ON SECOND STAGE

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SPECTATOR, ALEXANDRA LENIVKO, SAYING (ASKED WHY SHE LIKES CLOWNS):

"Clownade is amazing. I've always liked it ever since I was a child, but I was never related to it. But then I started working with children with special needs, I met the clowns who work at hospitals, they inspire me a lot."

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SPECTATOR, ALEXANDER, NO LAST NAME GIVEN, SAYING (ASKED IF CIRCUS IS OUTDATED):

"It's just like it was with cinema. When it appeared, people were saying that theatre will not be needed anymore, but still they coexist. So, I think that circus, along with new ways of entertainment will still be in demand and will remain needed."

14. CLOWNS ON STAGE

15. SPECTATORS

16. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SPECTATORS, MARIA (LEFT) AND ALEXANDER (RIGHT), NO LAST NAME GIVEN, SAYING:

(MARIA): Humour is a lifestyle for me, it helps to solve lots of difficult issues. You learn a lot through a joke.

(ALEXANDER): What's the point of not smiling?

(MARIA) Smile - it irritates everyone! (SMILES)

17. SPECTATOR FILMING ON MOBILE PHONE

18. SPECTATOR, OLGA, NO LAST NAME GIVEN, SAYING:

"I've been going to the circus ever since I was a child, thank God we have one in Tver, it's being renovated now. I've always loved the circus. I think all our life a big circus, so, why not get an outside perspective on the circus as well?"

19. CHURCH

19. TOP VIEW OF FESTIVAL

20. VOLGA RIVER WITH CHURCH ON RIVERBANK

21. PEOPLE ON BOAT