During the 1960s the Polish State Entertainment Agency (ZPR) hit on the idea of promoting Polish circus (CYRK) by commissioning posters from a group of leading poster artists including the poster designer and book illustrator Hubert Hilscher (1924-1999) who in 1949 studied under Tadeusz Kulisiewicz at the State Academic School of Plastic Arts. After graduation Hilscher worked for the Art and Graphic Publishing House WAG that provided patronage for poster artists, and from 1961 to 1970 was its art director. From 1966 until 1983 he was a member of the organising committee of the International Poster Biennale in Warsaw, an an exhibitor. Hilscher became known as one of the most colourful and amusing graphic designers of the so-called Polish School of Posters.

These Polish circus posters all featured the word Cyrk, often in eye-catching graphics. They were not intended as advertisements for specific performances or companies but as works of poster art that conjure the spirit of Polish circus. Brilliantly designed, rich in fantasy and humour, these posters were soon appreciated within Poland and abroad as collectable items, and have since featured in many exhibitions of poster art throughout the world.