The Latvian Riga Circus, founded in 1888, is one of the oldest existing circuses in the world. It experienced its golden era during the occupation by the Soviet Union. The physical strength and skill of the circus performers served to convince the world of the superiority of communism. Under the Soviet regime Latvia was forced to accept large numbers of Russian immigrants. Half of the circus personnel are still of Russian descent - as are half of Latvia's population. Generally born in Latvia, after the fall of the Iron Curtain these Russians have been refused Latvian passports. That makes travel impossible, except to the 'fatherland' from which they are estranged. Many young Russian acrobats therefore dream of a future in the West. The Riga Circus has in the meanwhile lost its state subsidies. It is expected that its facilities will be torn down, so that its prominent location can become the site for office buildings.

Rip Hopkins (b. Great Britain, 1972) has done photo reportage in countries such as Liberia, Bosnia and East Timor. He has brought home a number of prizes, including the Kodak Young Photo-Reporter Award. Hopkins is a member of Agence VU.