Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - The circus has been included in the inventory of the intangible cultural heritage of North Rhine-Westphalia as a tradition and independent form of the performing arts. The NRW state government announced this decision on Thursday evening. In the circus, theater, music, athletics, media and technology would be combined, it was said in the justification. When recording, however, the history of the circus with regard to colonial aspects and the animal-human relationship should be critically reflected.
The inclusion in the cultural heritage is an expression of the great appreciation of traditions and customs, it said. Also included were the classic German riding lessons as a gentle training method for horses and riders, the teaching of the astronomical world view in planetariums and the Beleck Storm Day; i.e. the celebrations in the former town of Belecke to commemorate their defense in the so-called Soest feud of 1448. Today Belecke is a district of Warstein in the district of Soest.
