The first virtual museum of Bulgarian circus has opened its doors and is ready to reveal to the world the secrets of this art. The idea came from popular TV presenter Dragomir Draganov, for whom the circus has always been something truly valuable. Love and positive emotions form the basis of this unique Bulgarian project. Dragomir Draganov told us more:

"Bgcircus.com is a virtual exhibition, a developing museum of Bulgarian circus. I believe the project will grow. The museum is a confession of my love for this wonderful art. I have been in love with circus since I was a child. I still have the tickets for the shows of the Sofia State Circus that I have seen. I have over a thousand posters and flyers, as well as hundreds of photos. They have all been scanned and now people can se them on the web site. More history and memories will be added in the future. The museum will exist as long as Bulgarian circus exists. The museum’s collection will become richer and in the future it would promote not only Bulgarian circus but the art as a whole. I believe the virtual museum will continue to evolve and one day I will hand it over to another boy, madly in love with this art.”

Photos and posters on the site have been arranged in alphabetical order and reflect the nearly 120-year history of Bulgarian circus. Dragomir Draganov has plans for the virtual museum to become an information portal, dedicated to all circus artists in the world.

The official opening of the museum in the Sredets Hall of the Ministry of Culture was very emotional as the hall was full of great Bulgarian circus talents - actors, acrobats, magicians.

In the early 80s the world press wrote Bulgarian circus was No1 in the world, but unfortunately today this art is neglected, although it should have an important part of cultural life. However, thanks to people like Dragomir Draganov, this art will never die out and the virtual museum is a step forward to a new flourishing future of circus in Bulgaria. What made Dragomir Draganov fall in love with circus?

"The circus is responsible for the best memories of my childhood. When I think about them, I become a child once again and I feel pure. Watching my collection brings me to another world – the world of pure and innocent child's emotions. This helps me live happily and peacefully."

Ilia Dimitrov was guest of honor at the opening of the museum. He has been a circus acrobat artist since 1963 and has performed for long years in one in one of the largest circuses in the US - "Ringling". The artist told us about his memories and his opinion about the museum:

"This is just great. Only a man with a big heart and big love for the circus can have such a collection and can share his feeling about the circus arena. Circus is for everyone – children, grandparents, and ordinary people. Dragomir has felt this. When an artist has contact with the audience, the feeling cannot be described. Drago knows what the true nature of circus is”

English version: Alexander Markov