Elements of circus art can be found in various types of national games, especially in equestrian ones. This is mentioned in the epic "Manas" and other minor epics. The national Kyrgyz game "selkinchek" is rich in elements of gymnastics, acrobatics, and equilibristics.
In 1962, a joint decision by the Government of the Kyrgyz SSR and the leadership of "Soyuzgoskirk" led to the establishment of the first circus troupe, "Young Kyrgyzstan," which mainly consisted of girls and boys of indigenous nationalities. The renowned circus master Evgeny Alexandrovich Zhang Funlin (later took the surname Janibekov) was appointed as its director and choreographer. He also performed the first acts. After auditions, E. Mamytbekov, A. Zhusupov, S. Beyshebaev, B. Kulubaev, S. Sooronbaev, M. Jumaliev, and Clara Linchan were accepted into the troupe, becoming the first artists of the Kyrgyz national circus. They first took to the circus arena on October 20, 1963. This day is considered the birthday of the Kyrgyz professional circus. The program's acts were created based on national games, incorporating elements of acrobatics and gymnastics, with some fragments accompanied by komuz music. The performance was successful, and the troupe was included in the circus "conveyor" and toured the USSR for a long time (Kiev, Minsk, Sevastopol, Arkhangelsk, Tashkent, Leningrad). On the 50th anniversary of the Great October Revolution, they performed at the Moscow State Circus, where they were recognized as one of the best original circus troupes and awarded the title of laureate of the All-Union review of new circus productions.
At this time, a two-year studio was opened to train new talents. Young people of indigenous nationality were recruited and trained in gymnastics, acrobatics, choreography, juggling, and equilibristics. They prepared 8 acts: "Gymnasts in the Ring" (Zh. Kyo byegonova, B. Sultankerimov, R. Vafeev, M. Yusupov), "Pas de Deux on Camels" (F. Mukusheva, A. Jumaliev), "Funny Cooks" (A. Abylkasymov, K. Arbotoyev), "Equestrian Juggler" (D. Chokubaeva), "Acrobatic Pyramid" (M. Achakeev, A. Aitaliev, S. Zholdoshev, K. Imanaliev, M. Zhakypov, M. Khusainov, B. Esentayev, K. Tynibekov, etc.), "Antipod" (A. Khasanova-Beyshebaeva, M. Tolomusheva), "Kyrgyz Equestrian Games" (F. Mukasheva, D. Chokubaeva, T. Tolomusheva, A. Jumaliev, O. and T. Abubakirov, S. Urmanbetov, K. Tashibaev, V. Kupriyanov, E. Omurbekov, Ch. Kuday-bergenov, Zh. Aralbaev, etc.), "Aerial Gymnasts" (K. Zholdoshev, M. Mukasheva, Sh. Sydykbekova, L. Lakhina, G. Alieva). The pilot program was presented by N. Tsertelyov, Yu. Korneev, G. Osipov, I. Shcherbakov, N. Kochakov, N. Pavli, V. Tvelenev, choreographer S. Kebekov, composers K. Moldobasanov, N. Davlesov, conductor A. Jumakmatov, writer K. Zhantoshev, and circus director L. Ivanova. In Moscow, I. Devyatkin prepared Kyrgyz clowns S. Sooronbaev and V. Popov. In 1969, the programs "Aerial Gymnasts" and "Young Kyrgyzstan" merged, and under the name "Young Kyrgyzstan," the combined troupe toured cities in the USSR until 1972. In 1972, a new artistic collective was created based on ready-made acts by a joint decision of the leadership of the Kyrgyz SSR and the All-Union Circus Association. It prepared a two-part program for the 50th anniversary of the Kyrgyz SSR, which included acts such as "Botogyoz" (director N. Kochakov), "Young Kyrgyzstan," "Kyrgyz Equestrian Games," "Acrobats on the Trampoline," "Tightrope Walker," "Plastic Etude," "Pas de Deux in the Mountains," "Gymnast-Eccentric on Rings." In 1977, the act "Kyrgyz Equestrian Games" was demonstrated in Finland.
In 1976, a new circus building with 1,089 seats and modern technical equipment was put into operation in Bishkek. This unique architectural structure includes a number of complex training and sports halls, a rubber arena, spacious administrative and artistic offices equipped with specially made furniture. The arena began to showcase theatrical, technically complex programs such as "Ice Circus," "Water Fantasy," "Ruslan and Lyudmila," "Gypsy Variety Circus Ensemble," and "Variety and Circus Collective of Dwarfs," which gained wide popularity among numerous spectators. The productions of pantomimes "Heroism," "There Were 28 of Them," and "We Are 60" were also interesting. The premiere of the performance "Echo of Ala-Too" (December 21, 1980) marked a new direction in circus art. It featured several new programs: "Legend" (aerial gymnasts G. Bokoloeva, K. Arbotoyev), "Frescoes" (B. Toksobaeva), "Archer" (S. Momunkulova), the attraction "Exotic Fauna of Kyrgyzstan" (director S. Urmanbetov), and the acrobatic ensemble "Issyk-Kul" (Zh. Usenbekov, S. Musaev, A. Bayaliyev, Ch. Sandan, S. Baiborieva, S. Beyshebaev, director R. Kozubekov), among others.
Many figures in the Kyrgyz circus have been awarded the titles of People's and Honored Artists, as well as Honored Workers of Art of the Republic.
