“Golden Kashtan” Circus Art Festival as an instrument of intercultural dialogue

Abstract

The growing number and social significance of children's and youth circus festivals-contests in modern Ukraine opens up a wide field for a thorough analysis and research of this cultural phenomenon. The Kyiv International Youth Festival of Circus Art “Golden Kashtan”, in context of the modern Ukrainian cultural space, is considered in the article. The historical aspects of the creation and development of the festival, the principles of its organization, the goals and objectives of the festival, age categories and criteria for evaluating the participants of the festival, tasks of the organizing committee of the festival, the judges of the international jury, the main awards and winners of the festival, etc. are analyzed. The International festival of circus art «Golden Kashtan» is emphasized as a unique event in the cultural and educational space of Ukraine, combining cultural, educational, training and health-improving events. The enthusiasm of children and youths in circus art and participation in the “Golden Kashtan” festival is of great importance in the physical and aesthetic education of the younger generation and development of personality. The International Circus Festival “Golden Kashtan” promotes the expansion of creative ties between children's and youth circus art studios, deepening mutual understanding between young generation of different countries and peoples, as well as Ukraine's entry into the European and world cultural space. It is emphasized that “Golden Kashtan” festival is a unique example of multilevel communication, which opens up opportunities for effective intercultural interaction, as a result of which understanding and trusting relationships are built between representatives of different cultures. Based on this experience, it is proved that the international festival “Golden Kashtan” as a cultural phenomenon is an effective tool for intercultural dialogue that improves the international image of Ukraine.