The republican circus art festival "Pekhlevan" organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Dagestan and the Republican House of Folk Art took place in the central square of Makhachkala.

According to the press service of the Ministry, the festival gathered dozens of Dagestanis and residents of the republic, who watched with delight the performances of equilibrists. Dagestan has long been famous for the art of its tightrope walkers, circus performers and artists of the original genre, popularly called Pekhlevians.

At today's festival the following groups demonstrated their skills: "Gunar" tightrope walkers group from Magaramkent municipal district directed by Shahbuba Kaziev, the laureate of the "Soul of Dagestan" Government award; "Pekhlevan" tightrope walkers studio under the direction of Askhabali Hasanov, the Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan, the laureate of the "Soul of Dagestan" Government award and a member of the Union of Journalists and the Union of Writers of Russia.

These groups are active participants of republican, interregional, all-Russian and international competitions and festivals, continuing the traditions of famous masters of circus art. The participants of the Pekhlevan Festival received not only diplomas of the Ministry of Culture but also well-deserved applause of the enthusiastic audience.