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 graphic designer Wiktor Górka (1922-2004). Górka studied graphic design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow where he was taught by Jerzy Karolak, and went on to become the co-founder of the so-called Polish School of Posters whose principles included simplicity, clarity, the use of poetic metaphor and diverse means of expression. Between the 1950s and 1980s he worked with the biggest Polish publishers and film directors, designing posters, book and magazine covers, commercial logos and prints. His work won numerous prizes in Poland and around the world.

Many of these Polish circus posters produced by the ZPR featured the word Cyrk in eye-catching graphics. They were not intended as advertisements for specific performances or companies but as works of poster art that conjured 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 world-wide.