Circus performances usually take place in large tents.
The Latin word circus came to our language as circo . The first meaning of the term recorded by the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) refers to the space with stands for the public and a central section where performances by acrobats, clowns, jugglers, contortionists and other artists take place .
The term circus is also used to refer to the group of people who work in these shows . It can also refer to the show itself.
History of the circus
As a genre or type of show, the circus has a history that goes back thousands of years . The origins of many circus acts can be traced back to the Roman Empire , Ancient Greece and Eastern civilizations of centuries past.
There are circus acts that arose from religious practices. Others are linked to celebrations and even certain activities are related to the training carried out by athletes and soldiers.
Little by little, the circus became established as an entertainment with a certain structure and organization. Beyond the ups and downs in its popularity over the decades, in general it always remained current and was consolidated as an attraction of a nomadic nature and related to street art .
Tightrope walkers and acrobats are some of the artists who usually perform in circuses.
Change of era
The characteristics of the circus underwent great changes over the years. Certain shows that attracted large numbers of people were banned or began to suffer social condemnation.
The presence of animals in shows , for example, was the focus of the circus for a long time: it was common to use lions , bears , monkeys and even elephants in different activities. However, complaints from animal rights organizations and a greater awareness of animal rights led to the fact that the animals did not enjoy a good quality of life and were often even mistreated with extreme cruelty. Thus, many nations banned their use in performances.
The circus also lost the so-called freak shows , where individuals with physical deformities or unusual characteristics were exhibited (such as the Elephant Man or the Bearded Woman ). Today it is understood that these performances were an attack on human dignity .
The circus today
Although it is possible to distinguish between many types of circuses, broadly speaking it can be said that these shows currently feature clowns , jugglers , tightrope walkers , contortionists and acrobats . Ventriloquists , illusionists and puppeteers are also often part of the circus world.
Circus companies are usually itinerant , moving their show from city to city. Upon arrival at their destination, they set up a giant tent inside which the performances take place.
One of the most famous circuses is Cirque du Soleil , created in 1984 in Canada . Based in Montreal , it has simultaneous shows in several countries , developed by a troupe of more than a thousand artists.
The notion in colloquial language
In everyday speech, a circus is used to refer to something that is disorderly or confusing . On the other hand, the idea can be associated with something that is a mockery or has extravagant features .
"The opening of the hospital was a circus: the next day, the place was already closed because there were no doctors" y "This company is a circus, no one knows who is responsible" son phrases que apelan a estos usos del término.