Technicum

Not to be confused with Technocracy is the Moscow Technicum of Circus Art proudly described in copies of the Moscow News reaching the U. S. this week:

"In the past two years 110 young artists of 42 different specialties were graduated from the Technicum and are now entertaining the public in the Soviet Union's 75 circuses. . . .

"According to the new regulations, boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 20 only are eligible. They must be in perfect health and have at least seven years of preliminary schooling. Those whose applications are accepted must pass a rigid medical and psychological test and, if they come out successful, are put to a final trial.

"Before a jury consisting of experienced circus players, the director of the technicum, pedagogs, sport instructors, and representatives of GOMETZ [the Soviet State Trust of Musical Estrade and Circus Enterprises], each applicant has to show what stunts he or she can do. The final decision rests with the jury.

"Last year over 500 applications were received from boys and girls living in different parts of the Soviet Union. Of these, only 120 were permitted to hold a final examination before the jury, with the result that 67 were accepted.

"Students pay nothing for their training and education; moreover, approximately 75% of them receive stipends ranging from 40 to 120 rubles a month [nominally from $20 to $60]. . . .

"The curriculum of the first year includes floor and aerial acrobatics, gymnastic exercises on cross bars, trapeze, rope-walking, bicycle riding, and many other specialties.

"In addition to these practical lessons, the following classroom subjects are taught: mathematics, physics, political economy, current politics, history of class struggle, Russian grammar, English, chemistry, anatomy, hygiene and sanitation, history of the theater and circus, literature and military training."

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