🤡 The Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard welcomed its first spectators on October 20, 1880.

🤡 Throughout its history, it has withstood world wars, revolutions, the sweeping construction of socialism, and the years of perestroika. Its audiences have included the highest dignitaries of the Russian Empire and members of the Soviet aristocracy, renowned merchants and pioneers of the first five-year plans, aristocrats, and Heroes of Socialist Labour. Under its iconic dome, legendary figures from the worlds of circus, theatre, and cinema have performed, enchanting generations of spectators.

🤡 As one of Russia’s oldest circuses, the old Moscow Circus initially featured five rows of seats, box seats, a dress circle, сheaper seats consisting of unnumbered wooden benches, and a standing gallery. Over the decades, the building underwent numerous reconstructions and expansions, yet it remained a dedicated home for the art of the circus throughout its long lifespan.

🤡 Its stage was graced by legendary performers: Anatoly and Vladimir Durov, Vitaly Lazarenko, and Wilhelm Truzzi with his impeccably trained horses; the incomparable Sosin jumpers, renowned for their daring jumps; first-class jockeys Vasily Sobolevskiy and Herbert Cook; the graceful dancer Martha Sur; acrobats from Okeanos; the Koch sisters, masters of balance; and the famous “Kio the trickster”, who captivated all the boys with his illusions.

🎪 The circus’s reputation was elevated by its visionary directors, each tirelessly seeking new acts and spectacles. Arnold Arnold introduced clowns into Kio’s mysterious show. Boris Shakhet had graceful dancers perform alongside enormous elephants from the Korniov troupe. The success of the circus was also strongly linked to the work of Artistic Director Y. S. Yursky, known for his theatrical parades and prologues; chief director M. S. Mestechkin; production director A. G. Arnold; and managing directors N. S. Baykalov and A. V. Asanov.

🤡 Iziaslav Nemchinsky, head of the Circus Art Studio, created a genuine revelation of the era—Valentin Filatov’s “Bear Circus.” The Tsvetnoy Circus was in constant search of new acts, fresh productions, and emerging talents. In 1919, by Decree of Vladimir Lenin, the circus was nationalized and became the country’s first state-owned circus.

🤡 This was the birthplace of the legendary Karandash. The “sunny clown” Oleg Popov performed in the old circus multiple times, enchanting audiences with his warmth and humor. On the Moscow stage, the star of Leonid Engibarov, known as the “clown with autumn in his heart,” shone brightly; he considered himself an apprentice of Charlie Chaplin.

In 1983, the circus leadership was entrusted to Yuri Nikulin – a People’s Artist of the USSR, the renowned clown and performer. 🤡

🤡 The last performance in the old building of the Circus took place on the 13th of September, 1985. Two years later, on October 19, 1987, the first stone was laid for the new structure, and a time capsule was embedded beneath it. The grand opening of the new Moscow Circus building took place on September 29, 1989, with the program “Hello, Old Circus!”

❗️❗️❗️ In December 1996, following the 75th anniversary of Yuri Nikulin, the circus was officially named the Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard.

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1️⃣. Sakhalin and Kamchatka: The Six Brothers

On Sakhalin and Kamchatka, there are similar rock formations that cut through the sea like the spines of a dragon — the Three Brothers. The Kamchatka rocks are located at the entrance to Avacha Bay and are designated as a natural monument, a symbol of the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. According to a legend, these were three brothers who protected the peninsula from a massive ocean wave. Over time, they turned to stone and now stand as guardians, shielding people from the dangers of the sea.

On Sakhalin, the Three Brothers are situated in the Tatar Strait near Cape Zhonkier in the Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsk district. These rocks are an official symbol of the city and are depicted on its coat of arms and flag.

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⚡️The Core of the Myth: Why He's Called "Immortal"

🐦‍⬛️ Koshchei’s name says it all. He cannot be killed through any conventional means. The secret to his immortality isn't in his body; it's stored somewhere else, in a classic "Russian nesting doll" of magical protection.

Here’s the legendary puzzle box of his soul:
1️⃣His death is hidden in an egg.
2️⃣That egg is inside a duck.
3️⃣That duck is inside a hare.
4️⃣That hare is inside an iron chest.
5️⃣That chest is buried under a giant green oak tree.
6️⃣That tree is on a remote, mysterious island.
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🐦‍⬛️ Koshchei's Vibe: What Makes Him So Terrifying?

He’s not just a boss at the end of a dungeon. Koshchei is a specific kind of nightmare:
🤩The Ancient Sorcerer: He's often depicted as a gaunt, skeletal, and impossibly old man, yet possessing immense physical strength. He is a master of dark magic.
🤩The Kidnapper King: His primary motivation is often the kidnapping of beautiful young women, particularly the hero's love interest. He holds them captive in his otherworldly, silver-and-jet-black castle. This makes him a very personal villain.
🤩A Force of Oppression: In many stories, he represents a timeless, unchanging evil that must be outsmarted, not just outfought. He is the ultimate test of a hero's courage, wit, and perseverance.
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#fairytaleRussia@TCofRus

Koshchei in the American Lexicon: Think of Him As...

🤩The Slavic Voldemort: Just as Voldemort hid his soul in Horcruxes, Koshchei hid his life force in an external object. Both are powerful, feared, and can only be defeated by destroying that object.
🤩 The Fairy Tale Lich: In Dungeons & Dragons, a lich is an undead sorcerer who stores its soul in a phylactery. Koshchei is the folkloric original.
🤩 A Darker, Smarter Sauron: While Sauron is a disembodied power, Koshchei is a character you can interact with, bargain with, and even capture (temporarily). His weakness is a specific, solvable riddle.
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#fairytaleRussia@TCofRus