For almost 50 years, the State Circus in Tashkent has been an icon of the country’s capital and a source of national pride for the people of Uzbekistan. The futuristic dome towering over the Khadra district has become a symbol of the city’s reconstruction following the tragic earthquake of 1966, and the building itself is now regarded as one of the finest examples of modernism in Central Asia.
The Tashkent State Circus – history
The tradition of circus arts in Tashkent began in the late 19th century, when travelling troupes from Russia and Europe started arriving in Turkestan. Initially, performances took place in big tops, whilst the first permanent circus building was opened in 1914. Another significant event was the establishment in 1920 of the Tashkent State Circus, known as Tashgostsirk, which operated as part of the Soviet Soyuzgostsirk. In 1942, Uzbekistan’s first national circus troupe was established, which gained recognition through performances across the republics of the USSR and abroad. The institution’s dynamic development was halted by the catastrophic earthquake of 26 April 1966. The former building was completely destroyed, and for the next 10 years the artists performed in a temporary tent.
An original design rather than a standard model
Work on the new building lasted from 1962 to 1970, whilst its construction took place between 1965 and 1976. The design was created by architects Genrikh Aleksandrovich and Gennady Masyagin from the Tashkent-based firm Tashgiprogor. Their concept was something of an exception in the Soviet Union, where new circuses were usually built according to standardised designs prepared in Moscow. The architects managed to persuade the authorities to adopt their unique vision, adapted to the seismic conditions and the urban layout of Tashkent. The building was opened in 1976 on Khadra Square, at the junction of Navoi and Furkat streets. The building’s location was of great significance, as it marked the boundary between the historic mahallas of the old town and the post-war districts of Tashkent that were being rebuilt. The circus also forms an important architectural ensemble with the Palace of Friendship of the Peoples.
A dome inspired by local tradition
A distinctive feature of the building is its turquoise dome, 77 metres in diameter, reminiscent of a traditional Uzbek drinking bowl. Beneath its vaulted ceiling lies an auditorium seating around 3,000 spectators, which made the Tashkent Circus the second-largest venue of its kind in the entire Soviet Union. The structure is made of reinforced concrete and steel, and the design was adapted to the region’s high seismic activity. The main supports are positioned on the exterior of the building, leaving the interior completely free of columns. The façades are adorned with decorative panjar latticework, whilst the interiors feature ceramics, mosaics, stained-glass windows, carved walnut and traditional ganch stucco work. This combination of materials gave the building a character distinct from that of typical Soviet performance halls.
The State Circus in Tashkent – a valuable monument of Central Asia
The building is now recognised as one of the most outstanding works of modernism in Central Asia and has been included among the structures analysed as part of the ‘Tashkent Modernism XX/XXI’ programme, which is compiling documentation on the most valuable architecture of post-war Tashkent. The building has also been identified as a key element in efforts to have the city’s modernist heritage included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Following Uzbekistan’s independence, ownership and operation of the circus passed to the state organisation Uzbekgoscyrk, which continues to run artistic programmes to this day. Performances by Uzbek and foreign troupes are held regularly at the venue.
Preserving valuable modernist architecture
The most extensive renovation of the building since its completion took place in 1999, when parts of the interior and the building’s systems were refurbished. In the years that followed, increasing attention was drawn to the need to replace the auditorium’s fittings, modernise the ventilation systems and improve accessibility for people with disabilities. However, no comprehensive refurbishment has yet been undertaken. The building continues to serve its original purpose and remains one of Tashkent’s most important attractions. At the same time, interest in its historical value is growing. The State Circus has become the subject of academic research and initiatives led by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Foundation and international specialists in the conservation of 20th-century architecture. The building is increasingly seen as one of the most important symbols of Tashkent’s reconstruction following the 1966 disaster, as well as an outstanding example of the creative use of local motifs in late modernist architecture.
Source: whc.unesco.org, uzbekistan.travel, tashkentmodernism.uz
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