For the first time ever, the Flip Circus will be preforming in Yonkers this week and there's a lot that makes this circus special.

Included in the amazing group of performers is five artists who escaped the war in Ukraine.

Running away to the circus isn't as romantic as it sounds when it means you may never see your family again.

Anastasiia Savych is one of four women who left their homes and families in Ukraine in the midst of war to perform across the U.S. for flip circus. "When I was at the train station, it was so hard to say bye to my parents because I'm not sure I see them again."

Savych, from Kyiv, is just 20 years old but she's already performed around the world. She joined a circus academy at age 15, entranced by how special it feels to dance here rather than on a normal stage.

Her fellow performers have become family. They say these girls were almost constantly in tears when they first met. "It's very hard for them and we try to be close to them, support," says fellow performer Stiv Bello

Brothers Roni and Stiv Bello know what it's like to leave family. They both went through their own hard time during the height of the pandemic in Italy. "It was really bad. I remember I was closed in the apartment. We couldn't get out," says Roni Bello, an acrobat.

The Bello brothers and all of the other circus artists say they are excited to welcome crowds to help ease stress brought about by world events – even if it's just for a moment.

"We need to carry on…people need to have a live show," says Roni.

The troupe raised the big top in the parking lot of the Cross County Center and shows are going on every weekday at 7:30 p.m. until May 2. Weekend shows are held at three different times each day.

This is the tour's third national stop. After its shows in Yonkers, the circus moves to Nanuet.

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