Mongolian Contortionism

During my travels I am always looking for those stories that best represent the local culture and tradition. Contortionism in Mongolia is a sport of ancient origins. During the communist regime, the Mongolian State Circus on tour became one of the few occasions of contact with the West and this discipline became famous all over the world. At the fall of communism, the Mongolian people acquire a new freedom, seeking their own traditions and contortionism and circus art find a wide following and amateur and professional contortion schools spread throughout the territory, especially in its capital Ulaanbataar. Many professional girls work in the world's largest and most famous circhs, the less fortunate ones entertaines spectators of cruise ships and night clubs around the world from Macau to Las Vegas. These photos were taken at several schools in Ulan Bator and Erdenet in October 2019.