Ukraine's young circus artists wow Budapest after training
This week, Budapest hosted a festival for young Ukrainian circus artists. This event highlighted the talents of children who had to train underground or without electricity.
After months of practice in their home towns of Kharkiv, Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa for months, Donetsk was the place where children aged 6-17 performed over 30 shows with other competitors from Hungary, Mexico, and at Budapest's Capital Circus.
Director of Budapest Circus Peter Fekete stated that the children were practicing in air raid shelters by nightlight. He stated, "We felt there should be an area where their talents could be displayed."
"We have to believe in them that it's worth it, it is worthwhile the training. We stopped our regular January program for two days and… gave the circus to our Ukrainian friends."
Mariia Kravchenko, 13 years old, was an artist in circus from Dnipro (eastern Ukraine). She had been practicing for the festival in unheated shelters since the Russian invasions.
She stated that she had trained in Dnipro's circus, but now there is war in Ukraine. She smiled as she was about to perform her hula show in Ukrainian colors and with flowers in her hair.
Bright Country (Ukraine), launched Yaskrava Arena Dnipra, an international circus festival for children, in 2010. It used to be held every December at Dnipro State Circus.
Since its inception, more than 1000 young artists have participated in the festival from Germany, Lithuania, Hungary, and Ukraine.
The winners are often invited by France and Spain to take part in international festivals.