Retired circus artiste Jozef Maksymiuk (59) wears a ghost costume. During the communist era, circus was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Poland. Polish performers worked with the most prestigious outfits in the world. They all came from a circus school in Julinek. Since the 1990s, Julinek has been slowly dying. Now, the circus center that once employed up to 1,500 artists and technicians has closed due to financial problems.

For most of his career retired circus artiste Jozef Maksymiuk (59) performed as a clown. During the communist era, circus was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Poland. Polish performers worked with the most prestigious outfits in the world. They all came from a circus school in Julinek. Since the 1990s, Julinek has been slowly dying. Now, the circus center that once employed up to 1,500 artists and technicians has closed.

Stanislaw Krawczyk (73) stands in a corridor leading to the arena at the former Julinek circus school. He was an acrobat for over 20 years. In the communist era, circus was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Poland. Performers all came from this school. Since the 1990s, Julinek has been slowly dying. Now, the circus center that once employed up to 1,500 artists and technicians has closed due to financial problems.

The entrance to the arena at the now derelict Julinek circus school. In the communist era, circus was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Poland. Polish performers worked with the most prestigious outfits in the world. They all came from this school. Since the 1990s, Julinek has been slowly dying. Now, the circus center that once employed up to 1,500 artists and technicians has closed due to financial problems.

Retired circus artiste Jozef Maksymiuk (59) at home dressed in one of his old costumes. In the communist era, circus was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Poland. Performers all came from a circus school in Julinek. Since the 1990s, Julinek has been slowly dying. Now, the circus center that once employed up to 1,500 artists and technicians has closed due to financial problems.

Mieczyslaw Grzebieniowski (79) worked as a circus performer for over 30 years, and taught at the Julinek circus school in Poland. In the communist era, circus was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the country. Performers all came from the Julinek school. Since the 1990s, Julinek has been slowly dying. Now, the circus center that once employed up to 1,500 artists and technicians has closed due to financial problems.

Circus artiste Michal Mozes (75) assisted his wife's tiger act after damaging his spine as a contortionist. In the communist era, circus was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Poland. Performers all came from a circus school in Julinek. Since the 1990s, Julinek has been slowly dying. Now, the circus center that once employed up to 1,500 artists and technicians has closed due to financial problems.

Zdzislaw Niemeczek (63) worked for 46 years as a magician and acrobat. During the communist era, circus was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Poland. Polish performers worked with the most prestigious outfits in the world. They all came from a circus school in Julinek. Since the 1990s, Julinek has been slowly dying. Now, the circus center that once employed up to 1,500 artists and technicians has closed due to financial problems.

Stanislaw Krawczyk (73) stands in the arena at the former Julinek circus school. He was an acrobat for over 20 years. In the communist era, circus was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Poland. Performers all came from this school. Since the 1990s, Julinek has been slowly dying. Now, the circus center that once employed up to 1,500 artists and technicians has closed due to financial problems.

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