The Astana Circus

The futuristic structure of the Astana Circus, also known as the Nur-Sultan Circus, stands as one of the most remarkable landmarks in the capital of Kazakhstan. Its design resembles a silvery UFO that has landed in the new administrative center of the city, built in the early 2000s in the vast yet sparsely populated Yesil district. The circus held its first performance in 2005 and has since built its own troupe. While the circus frequently updates its program, it also serves as a venue for international touring circuses. It has gained significant recognition across Asian countries due to the prestigious “Echo of Asia” festival, which is hosted at the circus every summer.

The Astana Circus typically holds several shows each week, and visiting troupes may perform daily. Performances usually start at 4:00 PM, and for those keen to catch a particular show, it’s advisable to monitor updates on the official website. Tickets can be purchased either at the circus box office or online. The box office operates daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM without a break. For online purchases, tickets can be bought through the official website or via ticket distributors. On the circus’s website, simply click on the show poster to access the “Buy Ticket” button.

Ticket prices vary depending on the program, but children under the age of 5 traditionally receive free entry, provided they do not require a separate seat. In such cases, only the accompanying adult needs to purchase a ticket. To take advantage of free admission for young children, bring the child’s birth certificate to the box office.

Construction of the Astana Circus began in 2001 under the direction of Kazakhstan’s president. The project took four years to complete, and the inaugural performance was attended by Nursultan Nazarbayev and members of his administration.

The circus building is the signature creation of renowned Kazakh architect Tolegen Abilda, although many of his most famous projects are located in Almaty. These include the Republican Palace of Pioneers, the Promenade Mall, and the mosque for the “House of the Vainakhs” community. While designing the circus, Abilda visited several other iconic circuses, including the Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard in Moscow, where he met the widow and son of legendary clown Yuri Nikulin.

Blending contrasting forms and enhancing the spaceship resemblance with dynamic lighting, Abilda successfully aimed to create the illusion of the circus building floating amid the city’s towering structures. This architectural experiment has become a stunning success.

The circus arena, shaped like a “UFO,” features a standard diameter of 13 meters and is surrounded by concentric seating, accommodating up to 2,000 spectators. A VIP box with seating for 21 guests is also available. The arena is designed so that every seat offers a clear view of the performance.

Outside the main structure are auxiliary buildings, though they do not detract from the overall floating effect. These facilities include a hotel, a training arena, administrative offices, accommodations for performers, animal enclosures, workshops, and other support spaces.

According to the official website, the Astana Circus troupe consists of 296 members, with the majority being performers from their own team. The constantly evolving shows feature a variety of acts from modern circus disciplines, including jugglers, acrobats, illusionists, clowns, animal trainers, and gymnasts.

The circus also maintains its own menagerie, which includes exotic animals such as lions and camels. In addition, audiences can enjoy performances with circus dalmatians, ponies, and horses. The horses are part of the “Jigits of Sary-Arka” equestrian acrobatics troupe. Birds also have a role in the shows, with performances by guinea fowl, pigeons, pheasants, Japanese chickens, Chinese ducks, and doves.

The troupe frequently tours, with performances by Astana Circus artists being seen in over 30 countries, including Ethiopia, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Peru, Japan, and Russia. Since 2008, the circus has hosted the “Echo of Asia” Circus Arts Festival every summer. The event features top acts from renowned circuses across Asia. Traditionally, participants come from countries like Vietnam, China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan. In recent years, the festival has also attracted participants from Europe, the Americas, and Africa.

Adjacent to the Astana Circus, a large fountain serves as an additional attraction. At its center, on an elevated platform, stands a golden statue of a tightrope walker perched on a unicycle, holding an open umbrella above his head. Surrounding the fountain’s basin are statues of other circus performers and animals captured in mid-performance. Among the figures are a tiger leaping through a ring of fire, a bear playing the accordion, and a monkey riding a bicycle.

Behind the fountain lies a park with an avenue of sculptures featuring characters from Kazakh folklore. These include the witty and clever Aldar-Kose, the satirical hero akin to the Slavic Baba Yaga, the brave and just Yer Tostyk, and others. The park is also adorned with topiary sculptures of animals, further enhancing the whimsical atmosphere of the area.