The Idol2025 Circus Arts Festival takes place in Moscow
The Bolshoi Moscow Circus on Prospekt Vernadskogo Avenue will host the Idol 2025 Festival until July 20. It will features 190 artists from 15 countries, from China to Tanzania. In the largest arena in Europe audiencs will be presented spectacular acts, exciting premieres and world records in the field of circus art. The festival is organized by the Department of Culture of the City of Moscow.
“The Idol Festival is a unique international project. It takes place each year in the arena of the Great Moscow Circus on Prospekt Vernadskogo, bringing together laureates and prizewinners of professional contests and competitions from all over the world. Many foreign artists are eager to participate in our festival. This year, almost 200 artists from 15 countries will perform. Moscow once again has confirmed its status as the largest global center for circus arts“, aid Alexei Fursin, Minister of the Moscow City Government, Head of the Moscow Department of Culture.
Audiences will see a rich competition and enjoy a gala program. Circus schools from Russia, Hungary, China, Mexico, USA, Great Britain, Morocco, Tanzania, Vietnam, Chile and other countries are participating in the festival. The arena will feature acrobats on trapezes, bicycles and harnesses, tightrope walkers, bear and horse trainers, clowns and gymnasts.
The performances will be accompanied by the ballet company of the Great Moscow Circus on Prospekt Vernadskogo. As in previous years, the director and artistic director of the festival will be People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Askold Zapashny, and the general producer and show host will be People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Edgard Zapashny.
The Idol Festival was established in 2013 and has been held every year since (except for 2020-2023). It has established itself as a professional international event in which laureates and prizewinners of world competitions perform. Contestants are selected based on video submissions and by personal invitation only. Its main criteria are the uniqueness of their act, its technical complexity and artistry.
In 2024, the festival brought together 200 artists from 17 countries. The show in the circus hall was seen by more than 26,000 spectators, and online broadcasts gathered more than 40,000 views. Records were set: an artist from the DPRK performed four somersaults and a Russian artist performed a triple somersault on stilts with a turn, which was recorded in the Russian Book of Records.
After the competition part is over, from July 23 to August 17, the arena of the Great Moscow Circus on Prospekt Vernadskogo will host the winners’ shows, evening performances with the participation of Idol laureates selected based on the results of the festival.
The full schedule, line-up of participants and ticket program are published on the official website of the Great Moscow Circus on Prospekt Vernadskogo.