Circus Art Through the Eyes of Russian Print Media
The XXth century was marked by an increase in the number of print media, the emergence of many thematic magazines. Society felt the need for periodicals as a significant force in public life. The oppressed position of circus performers of the late XIX - early XXth centuries led to the creation of a trade union, the activity of which was supported by the release of its own magazine. The aim of the article was to study the development of circus art through the eyes of domestic media, in particular thematic magazines. The research problem is what kind of information the media transmit about circus art, how the social status of circus artists changes due to the activities of thematic magazines. The content analysis of domestic magazines and the circus of 1914-1993 was chosen as the research method. As a result of the study, it turned out that specialized journals had different goals in different periods. Under Tsarist Russia, it was the desire of entertainers to defend their interests with a united front, to be able to find employment and social protection. During the Soviet period, the goal of publications was to popularize circus art, to glorify the achievements of the Soviet people in all areas. Magazines published articles on genres of circus art, reviews of programs. Over time, the performer and his/her life become the themes of the releases. The circus itself is an art that reflects the life of its time, events in the country. Artists speak with the audience through the language of a trick, dance, pantomime, while awakening faith in the power of a person, uniting people with one idea. Leaders change, regimes change, and art cannot remain aloof from these changes. The study will be interesting to both art historians and sociologists.