Cultural exchange builds relationships

Kim Palchikoff: What do you think of the circus performers?

Jan Jones: When you look at the performers in the circus, it's the performers who have made Las Vegas. It's not the hotels; it's not the grandeur; it's everything that they embody about Las Vegas. It's about entertainment, it's about providing fun for people who come to see it; it's about the talent that it takes to create these shows we're famous for.

Former Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones. Source: Press Photo

What's amazing is that if you look at the circus, it epitomizes all that is unique about Las Vegas: the diversity, the entertainment aspects, the talent, the vision, the evolution. Circuses have evolved the same way that the city has evolved, but then it broadens the way they provide the entertainment. People just love it, they're really amazed, it's really nice that our circus is right in the heart of the Las Vegas strip, and outside (not indoors). It’s in a tent; it's got all of the original elements of a circus, but then it goes broader and beyond.

K.P. : This year Russia and America are doing a cultural exchange. What do you think about cultural exchanges? Do they work?

J.J.: When I was mayor, we were more aggressive with our sister city. I thought they were absolutely great, if you look at the relationship that we had with ours, they put a lot of effort into coming and bringing a delegation, and trying to understand who we were, and we were trying to understand who they were, and when you go to their country the level of hospitality - they would show - I think it makes a huge difference.

K.P.: Can countries do that?

J.J.: I think it can. It opens the door for communication, understanding relationship. Everything is built on relationships, and if you've closed the door on building that relationship, how do you ever move forward?

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.