North Korea announced its victory at the World Circus Art Festival Idol-2025, held in Moscow, Russia.
According to the ruling party’s newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Thursday, the World Circus Art Festival Idol-2025 took place in Moscow from July 17 to 20. Over 190 acrobats from 15 countries—including North Korea, China, Mongolia, Hungary, and Mexico—participated in the event.
North Korea established its national acrobatic troupe, the Pyongyang Acrobatic Troupe, in 1952. Since then, North Korean acrobatics have grown significantly, receiving full support under Kim Jong Il’s leadership in the 1970s. Today, troupes such as the Pyongyang Acrobatic Troupe and the Korean People’s Army Acrobatic Troupe perform regularly in dedicated theaters.
The newspaper proudly noted that the performers in the strength acrobatics act Flying People impressed the audience with aerial stunts, including front flips from 18 meters and mid-air catches from 17 meters. At the awards ceremony, North Korea clinched the festival’s top honor—the gold medal.
North Korea’s most renowned form of acrobatics is strength acrobatics, which showcases traditional circus skills such as aerial rotations and tightrope walking. Other styles include provincial-style acrobatics, aerial performances, and animal acrobatics.
North Korean acrobatics have also been promoted as a tourist attraction, helping the country earn foreign currency from international visitors.