Russia to stop circus aid after 2020

Moscow: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has approved a circus development blueprint up to 2020 after which circuses will be expected to raise their own funds, the government press service has said. The new development concept seeks to make circuses more popular and affordable as well as to improve the economic efficiency of the organisations.

The main objective is to create new programmes and shows using modern technologies and related forms of arts such as theatre, film-making and stage. The government also intends to renovate circus buildings and hostels using government and private coffers, which is expected to make circuses safer and more comfortable for artists and the audience. These measures are designed to upgrade Russian circuses, allowing them to become international leaders and increase the number of circus shows by 50 percent. IANS