Mongolia's circus culture at risk - 10th November 2023

Mongolia's circus performers have entertained people across the planet. However, their training centre's now in danger of falling down. If the century-old hall collapses, it will damage the future of the circus, the country's most popular form of entertainment.

There's nowhere else for artists to train in circus skills such as acrobatics and trapeze. A modern circus centre was designed for training, but in 2007 it was made private. It now only holds important concerts and private events.

For years, the government has been building a special training centre, but completing it seems unlikely. According to Gerelbaatar Yunden, once a circus art director, modern facilities are required to give the circus new life.

Gerelbaatar Yunden: "Once we build the proper circus school facility, it will succeed, and it will be on track to rise again. The government can expect results and success from us. The school facility is not just a fundamental element of reviving the circus - it is also important to correct the long-lost system. Until then, we're going to keep up our spirits and keep fighting."

These days, the school rents space far from the capital, so a long train ride remains the only option for students. The centre's limited space is also an issue, as young performer Bayarchimeg Erdenebayar explains.

Bayarchimeg Erdenebayar: "Here, everything is complicated and there are a lot of problems. Circus is the art of space, but space is very limited here. It's also difficult to practise in groups. This is what new students also say. We can't practise everything we want to because of the limited space."

The contortionists – the performers who can put their bodies into extraordinary positions – are probably the best-known Mongolian artists. Nowadays, several private schools have been set up. Parents sign up their children to give them the chance of moving abroad. 85 percent of contortionists have done so, something which this teacher blames the government for.

Bud Tumurbaatar: "Our own state ignores its talented artists, who deserve more recognition. That's why Mongolian artists are leaving Mongolia for other countries for better treatment and a better income. Basically, our artists are in the hands of foreigners now."