SA’s Ukrainian community angered after The Great Moscow Circus displays Ukrainian flags

Members of SA’s Ukrainian community are angry the Great Moscow Circus is displaying their country’s flag – as the council explains why they’re allowed to.

South Australia’s Ukrainian community has voiced anger at the Great Moscow Circus being hosted in the City of Adelaide, amid the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.

The circus rolled into town during the week and is flying four Ukrainian flags above a ‘Great Moscow Circus’ sign attached to a promotional trailer for event.

However, organisers say it is not a political symbol but rather support for the group’s Ukrainian performers.

The Great Moscow Circus is being staged at Bonython Park on Port Rd, Thebarton until October 15, before moving to country areas.

Online ticketing indicates about half the tickets for the first performance on Friday night were sold just hours before the show.

The flag display has received backlash from members of the Ukrainian community living in SA, who say it’s insensitive due to the ongoing war in their country.

Ukrainian flags seen at The Great Moscow Circus currently in Adelaide. Picture: Facebook/South Australia and Beyond with Pete and Dea

Association of Ukrainians in South Australia Inc member Diane Howarth is angered over Ukrainian flags displayed at The Great Moscow Circus. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / Emma Brasier

Association of Ukrainians in South Australia member Diane Howarth said the Ukrainian community had been “severely distressed by the promotion of anything ‘Moscow’”.

“We understand that the circus has been around for a while, but surely during this current situation that name could be changed or amended,” Ms Howarth, a schoolteacher of 34 years who is raising money for Rebuilding Schools Ukraine campaign, said.

“But it’s still offensive to see the promotion of anything Moscow.

“One of the women I work with – I work with over 60s who have lost sons, husbands, and recently a nephew ... she was just totally distressed yesterday.

“(It’s) just the fact that they’re trying to negate advertising of the word Moscow by putting up Ukrainian flags is just unbelievably offensive, beyond comprehension, that they would be so insensitive and so ignorant to the plight of Ukrainians.”

The Great Moscow Circus’ marketing manager Mark Edgley defended the use of Ukrainian flags saying it was a symbol of unity not division.

“We have Ukrainian performers, the only thing Russian is the name Moscow,” Mr Edgley said.

“We don’t want to get involved with political wars, that’s not our stance.

“We’re here to have a unity for international performers. We have Ukrainian flags up because we have Ukrainian performers.”

Mr Edgley said the circus – an Australian run business that started in 1965 – had been using the name ‘Moscow’ after purchasing the brand when the Soviet Union collapsed “many years ago”.

“The Australian promoters make the decision, we put them up. This is to do with the performers (it’s) not a political statement, It’s to do with the performers in the show,” he said.

Members of the Ukrainian community say they are distressed by the promotion of anything ‘Moscow’. Picture: Facebook/South Australia and Beyond with Pete and Dea

Last Monday, the SA association president Frank Fursenko wrote to Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith “to respectfully request that you reverse your decision to allow these performances to proceed on Adelaide City Council property”.

“Giving a platform to an event that uses a name - the Great Moscow Circus - which is undeniably connected with Russia and uses symbolism that is strongly linked to Russia, raises deep concerns in our community,” Mr Fursenko wrote.

“We are extremely concerned that the Adelaide City Council is indirectly facilitating the Russian regime and their supporters to project a certain image to the world of ‘Russian culture’ to deflect from its barbarous actions in Ukraine.

“Allowing this event to proceed legitimises the daily bombing and war-crimes Russia inflicts on Ukraine and its people.”

Ukrainian community members want the circus’ name change but its organisers say it is an Aussie company with no Russian links. Picture: Facebook/South Australia and Beyond with Pete and Dea

Ms Lomax-Smith said the City of Adelaide had carried out due diligence when the company, which was Australian owned and operated, applied for its event licence.

“We have been told that since 1991, the business based in Queensland has been owned by Australia and New Zealand-based companies which appear to have no association or affiliation with the Russian Government,” she said.

“Council continues to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

The circus’ season for this year kicked off at Bonython Park on Port Rd, Thebarton on Sept 29, and will wrap up on October 15, before moving to Elizabeth, Port Lincoln and Port Pirie.

It showcases a range extreme acts including BMX, motorcycle and scooter riders, trampoline stunts and Russian Swing shows.

Circus-goer Nabina Adhikari, 31, who lived through the Nepalese civil war, told The Advertiser she doesn’t think the event should be politicised.

“This is an art form and a war is a war,” the education student said.

“In events like these, artists, writers, or whatever shhould not be barred because of their nationality.”

Originally published as SA’s Ukrainian community angered after The Great Moscow Circus displays Ukrainian flags