Australian entertainment business The Great Moscow Circus has set the record straight over its affiliations with Russia after some social media commentators wrongly linked attending the circus with supporting the invasion of Ukraine.
"I see that [people on] social media are inquiring about us, saying, 'Why are we performing because we're Russian?'," manager Mark Edgley said.
The announcement came as companies around the world limited operations in Russia, in some cases stopping business in the country altogether.
Mr Edgley said the Great Moscow Circus had performed in Australia since 1965.
He said when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, his family purchased the brand.
While the private enterprise company was "not a political company", Mr Edgley said it did not support the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
He said the circus helped its Ukrainian performers by inviting their families to Australia and supporting them with immigration.
No plan to change brand name
The company responded after some social media comments linked its name to Russia's brutal war.
"Why would anyone support anything out of Russia [because of] the horrendous acts this country is inflicting on its neighbours," one person wrote.
Another commenter said they supported Ukraine and would not attend the circus, urging the company to consider changing its name.
Mr Edgley said the circus would keep its original name, which had existed for more than 40 years.
The circus is currently in Bundaberg and will take its regional Queensland tour to Rockhampton and Emerald later in March.
