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THE TOGNI FAMILY

The Togni family is one of the largest Italian circus dynasties still active today. It has produced, over a century, excellent acrobats, animal trainers, and several circus managers, who have created dozens of traveling circuses and have toured in about thirty countries. The Tognis have also always excelled in circus engineering: they are credited with several technical innovations, including the introduction of three of the world's most common big topThe circus tent. America: The main tent of a traveling circus, where the show is performed, as opposed to the other tops. (French, Russian: Chapiteau) systems used today...(more...)

Recent Biographies

• Oleg Izossimov, Hand Balancer
• The Benneweis Family, Circus Owners
• The Panteleenko Brothers, Aerialists
• Elena Panova, Aerialist
• Yelena Larkina, Hula-Hoops

Featured Oral Histories

• Barry Lubin, Clown (Grandma) - Interview (Jando 2008)
• Fumagalli, Clown - Interview (Jando 2008)
• Kris Kremo, Juggler - Interview (Jando 2007)

Featured Essays and Videos

• Essay: Philip Astley, creator of the modern circus
• Video: Serge Percelly, juggler (2000)

A Message from the Editor

CIRCOPEDIA is a constantly evolving and expanding encyclopedia of the international circus. New videos, biographies, essays, and documents are added to the site on a weekly—and sometimes daily—basis. Keep visiting us: even if today you don't find what you're looking for, it may well be here tomorrow!

Dominique Jando