The Children's Center

In the Central District of the city there is an entire area that is dedicated just to kids. There is a very small amusement park, that resembles a fair, except it's permanent rather than traveling. There are rides for the kids, bumper cars, popcorn, cotton candy, and the like.

This is, of course, a favorite location for Abigail. Across the street is the Volgograd Circus. Unlike our traditional notion of a circus, this is a permanent facility. The circus is open seasonally, and there are various exhibitions that use this round, "one- ring", indoor auditorium.

Not long ago, a Moscow circus had a show here that ran for a limited time, complete with clowns, acrobats, and even tigers. Recently, we visited the circus again for a dolphin show. The circus ring had been adapted as a small pool and there were two dolphins that did tricks. The circus has long been a proud part of the Russia heritage, since Soviet times.

I think there are even special schools in Russia for circus performers and larger cities almost always have their own circus. Also in this area of Volgograd dedicated to kids, it is not uncommon to see animal trainers (usually outside the circus) offering pony rides to kids, pictures with a live camel, and so forth. While communist-gray city-blocks, and somber-looking expressions are often part of our reality here in Russia, it is undeniable that the Russian people have a soft-spot for kids.