STARITSA, Russia (AP) — Clowns and street performers gather to attend the Karandash-Fest in the town of Staritsa in the region of Tver, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) northwest of Moscow.
The festival is named in memory of notable Soviet circus clown Karandash, the stage name of Mikhail Rumyantsev, who started his career in this town on the banks of the Volga River.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
A circus performer rests prior to Karandash-Fest, a street festival of circus performers in Staritsa, Tver region, Russia, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Spectators attend Karandash-Fest, a street festival of circus performers in Staritsa, Tver region, Russia, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
A circus performer prepares for Karandash-Fest, a street festival of circus performers in Staritsa, Tver region, Russia, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Circus performers take part in Karandash-Fest, a street festival of circus performers in Staritsa, Tver region, Russia, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Circus performers warm up at the backstage of Karandash-Fest, a street festival of circus performers in Staritsa, Tver region, Russia, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
A circus performer prepares for Karandash-Fest, a street festival of circus performers in Staritsa, Tver region, Russia, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Circus performers prepare for Karandash-Fest, a street festival of circus performers in Staritsa, Tver region, Russia, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Circus performers march along a bridge over Volga river during Karandash-Fest, a street festival of circus performers in Staritsa, Tver region, Russia, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Circus performers wait for the start of the Karandash-Fest, a street festival of circus performers, in Staritsa, Tver region, Russia, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Young actors prepare for Karandash-Fest, a street festival of circus performers in Staritsa, Tver region, Russia, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
A circus performer prepares for Karandash-Fest, a street festival of circus performers in Staritsa, Tver region, Russia, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
A circus performer takes part in Karandash-Fest, a street festival of circus performers in Staritsa, Tver region, Russia, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
A circus performer takes part in Karandash-Fest, a street festival of circus performers in Staritsa, Tver region, Russia, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
