CIRCUS

History

Circus is human facilities demonstration. It is one of oldest and one of youngest art branch the own during.

The first small circus troupes („Gražuolė“, „Fox“, „Menas“, „Kongo“, „Patrimpas“, „Roma“ and ext.) in Lithuania began to create after The First World War. At about 1929 P.Gudauskas and P.Tarutis established professional circus “Aušra”, a little later appeared circus “Karado” which in the end of 1940 was commonwealth and named “Vilniaus arena”. For that first Soviet roaming circus leaded V.Černiauskas, J.Paulauskas, J.Ramanauskienė. In 1944 by initiative artist J.Ramanauskas was organized „Cirkas scenoje“ at Lithuania Soviet Uonion Republik, later named „Lietuviškasis cirkas“. From1950 it was on control of Eldest TSRS circus managament. In 1959 for collective gave „Vilnius“ name.

For lithuanian circus educate a lot join folk artists J.Ramanauskas, J.Ramanauskienė, A.Gineika, deserved artists O. and K. Kaluževičiai, A.Kličius, D.Bereišienė, V. and Z. Černiauskai, V. Variakojienė, artists R.Čepurna, V.Gineikienė, V.Latvis and a lot others. Many years Lithuanian collective was one of powerful troup among TSRS nationals circus troups.

However belongs „Sojuzgoscirk“ confederation in motherland it was visiting especially rarely – middling at ones per five years. Therefore a few decade years circus art in Lithuania developed thanks to amateur circus only. A lot members of these collektives became Professional circus artists.

History of Zanavyku land circus

By initiative J.Vikšraitis director of culture house and art leader P.Pučiliauskas was establish first in Baltic region and second in Soviet Unijon amateur circus Kudirkos Naumiestis of Šakiai district in 1959. Troup nucleus formed A.Jasiulevičius, Č.Bilevičius, J.Grikietis, V.Daugėla. In 1961 collective named „Žuvėdra”. In 1963 gave Folk circus name. „Žuvėdra“ existed at about 20 years, organized about 1200 show and became bright angular stone of Zanavykai land and whole Lithuania amateur circus history.

At the end of 1959 in collective „Žuvėdra“ happend split (8 artists) withdrawn from troup and moved to Lukšiai (Šakiai district), where maked separate troup under the leadership Č. Bilevičius and J.Grikietis. This collective existed in Lukšiai till 1969.

Third and most important amateur circus existence stage was establish circus by initiative „Žuvėdra“ artist J.Endriukaitis in Šakiai. The first training-rehearsal happened 15 th february 1976. And 24th april troup showed concert duration one hour. 12th december 1976 took place official concert premiere for citizens. Took part in program acrobats Marytė and Nijolė Smirnovaitė, Roma Unikauskaitė, Česlovas Stonkus, klowns Lionius Bernota and Juozas Razburskis, illusionist (collective leader) Juozas Endriukaitis. Show guided Nida Martinkaitienė. Collectiv named „Šypsena“.

*1976 in December to circus supervise Juozas Endriukaitis.

Reach more popularize amateur circus art in Lithuania, Šakiai district culture branch 1-2 april 1978 at first organized amateur circus rally between districts „Cirko žiburiai“. Later rally became traditional, happened one day per two years. Total succeeded arranged five „Cirko žiburiai“ rallies.

In 1978 circus collective „Šypsena“ of Šakiai culture house on the first rally „Cirko žiburiai“ – 78 deserved III place.

Induced good the first rally „Cirko žiburiai“ results, collective began broaden. In 1979 gathered instrumental group leader Algimantas Dielininkaitis. On november 1979 collective show new program to Šakiai spectators, and 13th november „Šypsena“ gave Folk circus name.

circus „ Shypsena ” band

In 1980 circus „Šypsena“ active give concerts in Lithuania. Collective was invited to film on TSRS TV show „Šire krug“, twise filmed on republican TV. In the second republican amateur circus rally „Cirko žiburiai-80“ won second place.

On december 1981 when collective celebrated five years Anniversary „Šypsena“ arranged hundreth show.

*In 1982 arranged circus „Šypsena“ summer camp. In the same year 9th december was showed new program premjere. First time in performance took place train animals.

In 1984 changed many „Šypsena“ performers and young people who came to circus from the begining can‘t to take experience of old artists therefore in Cirko žiburiai – 84“ competition „Šypsena“ had fourthly place.

Circus camp in 1985

On april 1985circus „Šypsena“ began lead Alvydas Pečiulis. He was finished Moscow National stage and circus school.

Collective leader Alvydas Pečiulis

On november 1986 in republican amateur circus collectives rally-competition „Cirko žiburiai – 86“ folk circus „Šypsena“ got laureates, share first-second places with folk circus „Alytus“. 20th december1986 in Vilnius railwaymans culture palace first time was organized laureates concert for capital public in which took part and „Šypsena“ artists

In 1987 rally-competition „Cirko žiburiai“ took over Vilnius railwaymans culture pajace, but sixth festival didn‘t happend. Was finished beautiful, almost ten years existed tradition.

A lot of circus collectives dispersed, because of many problems which they can‘t to solve

In 1983 circus „Šypsena“ began oneself activity. Collective‘s member decided to change name and called „Miraž“. „Miraž“ showed concert program in many rities and towns of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Bulgaria

Ten years circus was broke off your work in Šakiai.

On march 2004 was established new collective circus „Šypsena“. Leaders became professionals circus artists, in past artists „Miražas“ and „Šypsena“ Itana and Raimondas Januševičiai.

On january 2006 young collective „Šypsena“ took part in International festival „Latvijas Jaunais cirks – 2006“ in Ryga (Latvia Republic).

On january 2006 filmed on TV show „Mažųjų žvaigždžių valanda“.

3th march 2006 reborn circus studio „Šypsena“ celebrated your two years birthday. For that reason was showed circus program for town citizens in Šakiai culture center. It was demonstrated that circus art in Šakiai is alive and continue nice traditions Zanavykai land.

1-2 december 2006 „Šypsena“ took part in International circus festival „Mus vienija arena“ in Radviliškis culture center.

1th juny 2007 „Šypsena“ give a concert TV-3 projekt „Vaikų balsas“ in Kaunas sport hall.

4-19 july 2007 by initiative leaders circus „Šypsena“ Itana and Raimondas Januševičiai was organized children circus camp „Jaunieji talentai“. It was the first projekt in circus history of Lithuania, where kids could get acquainted with all this complicated art mode of life and daily rutine. They lived and rehearsed together with profesional circus artists, who arrived from different sides of the world, and took part in the „Baltijos cirkas“ program. This chance „Šypsena“ pupils gave director of „Baltijos cirkas“, Russia Circus Art Academy Academician Petras Variakojis.

On January, 11-13th circus collective "Smile" of the city of Sakiai, took part in the international circus festival - competition " Baltijas Jaunais cirks " in the city of Riga (Latvia). Children's and youth collectivesi took part In this festival from such countries as Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Belorussia. Circus studio "Smile" has been recognized by the best collective.

All our actors who are taken part festival, have diplomas:

In a genre the Hulla-hupes in group from 7-12 years, (1-st place) Erika Januseviciute

in a genre air gymnastics (3 place) Iveta Daniliute, plastic etude (3 place) Ruta Kiveryte

in a genre of balancing act in group from 13-25 years, (3 place) Margarita Januseviciute

a plastic quartet (3 place) Akvile Vaicaityte, Ruta Kiveryte, Erika Januseviciute and Sandra Bendoriute.

Special nomination (Spectator sympathies) "Gerls and them tubes" Simona Taujinskaite, Ruta Kiveryte, Akvile Vaicaityte and Greta Meskaityte.

1th juny 2008 „Shypsena“ give a concert TV-3 projekt „Vaikų balsas“ in Vilnius „Utenos recreation arena”.

On June, 18-25th, 2008 invite a city administration of Dubai (United Arab Emirates) the circus studio „ŠYPSENA“ took part in festival.

After twenty two summer breaks, this year, the festival-competition «Circus fires – 2008» from November, 22 till November, 23rd will be spent. The initiative of carrying out of competition has incurred, four years ago the restored circus studio "Shypsena" which is in the central recreation centre of Shakiaj. Its former participants, and already the professional circus performers full of optimism and creative ideas of Itana and Rajmond Janushevichaj supervise over studio. The Given project has the purpose to recover beautiful traditions of a circus art of Lithuania, and also to expand communications with foreign partners. The international amateur circus festival-competition «Circus fires – 2008» in which circus collectives from Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Poland will take part.

1. Circus studio "ŠYPSENA" (Lithuania)

2. Circus studio "DZUKIJA" (Lithuania)

3. Circus studio "MONELLI" (Lithuania)

4. Circus studio "Arena" (Belarus)

5. Circus studio "ŽANR" (Ukraine)

6. Circus studio "JAUNIBA" (Latvia)

7. Circus studio «XXI century promise» (Russia)

8. Circus studio "HECA" (Poland)

9. Circus studio "FEERIJA" (Belarus)

On November, 22-23th circus collective "Smile" of the city of Sakiai, took part in the international circus festival - competition " Circus fires – 2008" in the city of Sakiai (Lithuania). Children's and youth collectivesi took part In this festival from such countries as Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Poland. Circus studio "Smile" has been recognized by the best collective.

Three our collective numbers, have diplomas: in a genre air gymnastics (2 place) Iveta Daniliute, plastic etude (3 place) Ruta Kiveryte, a acrobatics (2 place) Akvile Vaicaityte, Ruta Kiveryte, Erika Januseviciute and Sandra Bendoriute.

2009, 5 March circus studio „ Shypsena ” get five years birthday celebration show.

LRT (National Lithuanian Radio and Television) in 2008's fall began a new competition "Talent Ring". It demonstrates the achievements of its young creators, performers, dancers, singers, musicians and artists, known talents. Tenderers must submit a 3-8 min. the duration of the work. In June this year estimated the finals, the winners of the prize home with LRT.
This project involves the study and Shakiai circus "Shypsena" the young artist Ruta Kiveryte, which is March 29. Semifinal round won "2008-2009 Competition finalist diploma." She gave the right to fight for the top prize in the finals of LRT