- Title: MONGOLIA: MONGOLIAN CHILDREN TRAIN AS CONTORTIONISTS AND ACROBATS
- Date: 24th May 2005
- Summary: L!1) ULAN BATOR, MONGOLIA (MAY 24, 2005) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) VARIOUS OF ROW OF YOUNG GIRLS IN PRACTICE ROOM BALANCING ON HANDS WITH LEGS STRETCHED OUT OVER THEIR HEADS (0.10) VARIOUS CLOSE-UPS OF LITTLE GIRLS WITH LEGS STRETCHED OUT OVER THEIR HEADS (0.18) CLOSE OF TEACHER LOOKING ON (0.22) CLOSE-UP OF LITTLE GIRL WITH LEGS STRETCHED OVER HER HEAD (0.28) WIDE OF LITTLE GIRLS PRACTISING STRETCHING EXERCISES (0.33) VARIOUS OF LITTLE GIRL BENT BACKWARDS WITH ANOTHER LITTLE GIRL BALANCING ON TOP (0.41) VARIOUS OF LITTLE GIRL PRACTISING HANDSTAND ON ONE HAND (0.49) SCU (SOUNDBITE) (Mongolian) BUYANJARGAL, STUDENT, SAYING: "I am 9 years old, I will be 10 soon. I love the art of contortionism - it is my favorite thing to do. I would like to visit all countries (doing this)." (1.12) VARIOUS OF ONE LITTLE GIRL HELPING ANOTHER LITTLE GIRL PRACTICE HANDSTAND ON ONE HAND (126) CLOSE OF TEACHER GIVING INSTRUCTIONS (1.30) SLV LITTLE GIRL SWINGING LEGS OVER HER HEAD (1.39) VARIOUS OF TWO LITTLE GIRLS BALANCING ON TOP OF EACH OTHER (1.49) SCU (SOUNDBITE) (Mongolian) OTGONTSETSEG, TEACHER, SAYING: "Of course, it is a fact that any person is going to feel pain at this first level of pressing and stretching. And of course the tendons and joints stretch a lot more than they normally would. We don't see this as something to feel badly about, because if we want these children to be very good we have to see this pressure as temporary pain only. We teach based on these facts. If we don't do it and feel too sensitive about their pain - and thus be unable to push them - they will have no future. It is sort of like being tough but enveloped in love. It is how we love them." (2.19) VARIOUS OF TWO TEENAGE ACROBATS HANGING BY FEET (2.29) SLV TEACHER HOLDING SUPPORT ROPE FOR TWO ACROBATS AND WATCHING (2.35) SLV ACROBATS SWINGING AROUND (2.41) CLOSE OF YOUNG GIRL BALANCING ON A BIT HELD IN HER TEETH AND TWIRLING A HOOP WITH HER FOOT (2.51) VARIOUS OF TEACHER WATCHING WOMAN FLIPPING SMALL CHILD WITH HER LEGS (3.07) VARIOUS OF WOMAN FLIPPING SMALL CHILD (3.14) VARIOUS OF TEENAGE ACROBAT PRACTISING BALANCING ON ONE HAND (3.26) SCU (SOUNDBITE) (Mongolian) LHAVGAOCHIR, ACROBAT TRAINEE, SAYING: "I hope to be able to make an income that is somewhere on the international level. Of course, if someone comes to Mongolia looking for an artist like me - they will have their own standards of payment. In any case, in the future I want to participate in a competition for contortionists - and I dream of taking the gold metal." (3.57) VARIOUS OF THREE TEENAGE GIRLS PERFORMING CONTORTIONIST ROUTINE (4.39) WIDE OF LARGE POSTER ADVERTISING THE MONGOLIA NATIONAL CIRCUS (4.43) WIDE OF EXTERIOR OF NATIONAL CIRCUS BUILDING (4.48)
- Embargoed: 8th June 2005 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: ULAN BATOR, MONGOLIA
- Country: Mongolia
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVACK2T9PIWYYNJ3H4GO1GM55GN7
- Story Text: Mongolian children stretch their way into a profession they hope will bring them fame, fortune, and a ticket out of their impoverished country.
A group of young girls cheerfully fold their bodies into nature-defying positions in a shabby backroom at the Mongolian National Circus.
They are learning an art that Mongolians claim was developed in the palace of ancient national hero Genghis Khan (1167 -1227).
The twelve small students make the routine look like child's play - but contortionism doesn't come easily.
The Circus will only accept children under the age of 7 - all of whom happily trade homework and after-school play for gruelling flexibility and strength training.
"I am 9 years old, I will be 10 soon. I love the art of contortionism - it is my favorite thing to do. I would like to visit all countries (doing this)," said Buyanjargal, a young student who claimed the training was not painful at all.
Great hopes lie on these young artists whose families willingly fork out 15,000 Tugrik (13 USD) a month for the training.
By age 14 trainees settle into a choreographed routine and step up the number of public performances.
Their teachers make sure their time is well-spent by stretching the children to their limits.
"Of course, it is a fact that any person is going to feel pain at this first level of pressing and stretching.
And of course the tendons and joints stretch a lot more than they normally would. We don't see this as something to feel badly about, because if we want these children to be very good we have to see this pressure as temporary pain only. We teach based on these facts. If we don't do it and feel too sensitive about their pain - and thus be unable to push them - they will have no future. It is sort of like being tough but enveloped in love. It is how we love them,"
said Otgontsetseg, a 37 year-old retired contortionist now working as a teacher.
Contortionism was introduced to the National Circus in the mid 50's.
Today, the attractive and limber artists are the show's main attraction.
After putting in their dues with the Circus, performers may be vaulted into an international career if they are lucky enough to be spotted by scouts from international troupes like the Cirque du Soleil.
Lhavgaochir's father pushed him to begin training seven years ago.
Building the muscles he needs for his balancing act has been extremely painful at times - but necessary to realise his dream.
"I hope to be able to make an income that is somewhere on the international level. Of course, if someone comes to Mongolia looking for an artist like me - they will have their own standards of payment. In any case, in the future I want to participate in a competition for contortionists - and I dream of taking the gold metal," said Lhavgaochir.
Mongolia's National Circus first opened its doors during communist times in 1940.
It survived the nation's switch to democratic rule in 1996 and subsequent economic upheaval to become one of the most prosperous organizations in the Mongolian cultural world.
Besides the contortionist stars, the Circus also boasts acrobats, gymnasts, jugglers, tightrope walkers, animal performances, clowns, and magic tricks.
Working for the circus is considered a lucky break.
The performers' steady wages and potential for stardom are salvation in a nation where a third of the nation's 2.5 million people still live below the poverty line.
Promising students who can't afford the modest tuition are supported by the Soros Foundation - a philanthropic organisation aimed at helping countries make the transition from communism. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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