The creative team of the Turkmen State Circus has prepared a new circus performance for the residents of Ashgabat and guests of the capital. It became a wonderful gift for both children and adults during the May holidays.
The renewal began right away—with the overture performed by the “Türkmen Ähemleri” Orchestra. A blues composition accompanied the parade-alle—the ceremonial procession of all performers around the arena. This is the hallmark of any circus, introducing the audience to its artists.
According to circus tradition, the first act was an “aerial” performance—an act by aerial gymnast Aylar Bebilova. The fearless acrobat ascended on a ring beneath the circus dome, and her dangerous tricks made the audience hold their breath in suspense.
The tension eased as soon as two cars carrying monkeys entered the arena. The act, titled “Dinner at a Restaurant,” featured three monkeys in skirts seated at a table, while two monkeys in trousers served them.
This was followed by an even more entertaining clown performance. To the music of Georges Bizet’s “Toreador March” from the opera “Carmen,” Pena Myratdurdyyev (the “little clown”) appeared in a toreador costume, proudly bowing to the audience. Suddenly, a mock bull rushed into the arena, frightening the toreador so much that he jumped into the stands and hid in the arms of a female spectator. The reprise turned out to be both hilarious and spectacular.
Once again, the balancing act made the audience hold their breath. In the arena was Arslan Kurayev, balancing a long pole on his forehead. The voltigeurs—Kerim Annamyradov, Elnar Muturzayeva, and the youngest circus performer, four-year-old Ramazan Akmuradov—took part in the act. Arslan Kurayev balanced the pole while enduring a significant physical strain. The voltigeurs were required to demonstrate precise balance and fearlessness. The audience, watching in amazement, admired the brave performers who dared to present such a dangerous act. The risky performance was a success, and pride shone in the eyes of the young and very young equilibrist artists.
Immediately after the performance of the charming poodles trained by Elmira Goshayeva and Zarina Goshayeva, the audience enjoyed thrilling performances by gymnasts, acrobats, and jugglers, where flexibility, agility, and balance are most valued. These qualities were brilliantly demonstrated by three gymnasts performing the “Rubber” act, Anastasia Gavrikova, who juggled simultaneously with her hands and feet, and the performers of the acrobatic group Galkynysh, who amazed the audience with a variety of somersaults.
The rich program also included performances by a clown duo—Pena Myratdurdyyev (the “little clown”) and Ezber Ataberdiyev (the “big clown”). Their act sparked a storm of emotions, and it seemed the circus show could have ended there. However, the audience was still awaiting the second part—the equestrian performance, which for many is the highlight of the entire program.
To the melody of the Turkmen folk song “Awçy mukam,” arranged by the orchestra musicians, the riders of the Galkynysh National Equestrian Games Group, led by Honored Horse Breeder of Turkmenistan Serdar Pygyyev, performed in the arena. Their performance once again allowed the audience to admire the beauty of the Akhal-Teke horses, appreciate the art of training, and applaud the skill and bravery of the riders. The jump of a horse together with its rider over a rope was an incredible sight. As if to fully convince the audience, Serdar Pygyyev repeated the jump. Aylar Bebilova, who had opened the performance under the circus dome, performed the so-called “Ladies’ Ride,” while Lilianna Annayeva galloped across the arena, scattering colorful scarves, and then made another fast lap to collect them at full speed.
Trick riding amazed the audience at every turn. Among the highlights were a complex move—passing under the horse’s neck while blindfolded, performing a “double candle” on a single horse, and most impressively, a triple human pyramid with the State Flag of Turkmenistan held by Serdar Pygyyev. The triple pyramid and the waving national flag are always perceived by spectators as both a patriotic and visually stunning trick. It was this act that concluded the performance, leaving the audience with a sense of pride for the magnificent horses, the skilled riders, and Turkmenistan—the homeland of the Akhal-Teke horses, unmatched in the world for their graceful beauty and speed.
