Internet guide to St. Petersburg, the cultural capital of Russia Internet Explorer: add to favorites 
St. Petersburg guide / Home page
 News | Events | Playbill | City | Tourism | Accommodation | Business
 Culture | Dine & Wine | Nightlife | Family | Health & Sports | Excursions
Services | Shopping | Classifieds | Forums | Map | Weather | Articles

Personal live guide to PetersburgBusiness in St. PetersburgApartments rent
 in St.Petersburg: March 29, 2024; 2:55pm (GMT+4). Search:
 Culture news All culture news of St. Petersburg 
Warning: current() expects parameter 1 to be array, null given in /home/webs/city.air.spb.ru/system/advert.robo on line 24
News at PetersburgCity.com
City news
Business news
Culture news
Anniversary news

Warning: current() expects parameter 1 to be array, null given in /home/webs/city.air.spb.ru/system/advert.robo on line 24
Culture news
Chinese circus of the Golden Lion fascinate the city
11.12.2003 11:46

Dancing lion, traditional performance of the Chinese circus Chinese circus of the Golden Lion brings its performances to Saint-Petersburg. Dancing lions and peacock bicycles can be seen November 11-16 in DK Lensoveta.

The origin of the Chinese circus is something of a debate. However, what is clear is that it is an ancient art. First records date back over 2000 years.

There are over 250 Circus troupes within China today, and many of these have toured around the world.

Within China, acrobats are regarded with respect and admiration. Training begins as early as four years old. Specific training with an acrobat troupe may begin by the age of eight. Basic training - balancing, tumbling, dancing, flexibility, and strength training -- is given in the first two years. Although some children can perform at an early age, when their flexibility and suppleness are at their highest, performers generally start in their mid teens.

There are many classical acts. Particular to Chinese circus is the dancing lions. This act is in fact rooted in Buddhism. The lion is a Buddhist symbol of good luck, and rivals the dragon as the most auspicious animal to guard against evil. The lion is also the animal depicted in Buddhism as the carrier of Wen Shu (Manjusri) the Boddhisattva of wisdom. The lion dance is a display of balance, co-ordination and strength combined into one. The ease with which the two acrobats within the lion's costume act as one belies the difficulty of this act.

A more recent act is that of the Peacock Bicycle, and the world record for the most number of people on a bicycle is held by a Chinese Circus troupe from Zhenzhou: an impressive 17 people, weighing over half a ton, this act takes some strength on the part of the person pedalling the bicycle.


Print this news


Culture news archive for 12 November' 2003.
Culture news archive for November' 2003.
Culture news archive for 2003 year.
City news archive
November' 2003
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30      
Archive for 2003 year


 News | Events | Playbill | City | Tourism | Accommodation | Business
 Culture | Dine & Wine | Nightlife | Family | Health & Sports | Excursions
Services | Shopping | Classifieds | Forums | Map | Weather | Articles

Site Map | Search | Help/feedback | About | Advertise with us

Contacts: info@petersburgcity.com

(c) 2001-2016 "Information Resources" Agency