Disseminates the perspective of circus creations from an aesthetic and technical point of view.

Circus is a nomadic art, beyond languages, and, because of its very nature, it is incredibly mobile across the European continent. Circle around enhances the shows presented and created for the ring format under the Big Top, in an innovative and creative way. The tent is an architectural space that is not to be separated from the artistic practice; it is by itself the essential condition of nomadic life and mobility.

Over the past 20 years, circus arts have undergone a thorough transformation. New worlds are being invented, pathways for artists to follow, led by new influences – dance, theatre, plastic arts. Circus nowadays is one of the most diverse and dynamic artistic disciplines. It is currently becoming increasingly popular in Europe as a real artistic choice, and audiences are growing.

This positive evolution of circus becoming a contemporary performing art is nevertheless accompanied by some reduction of the presentation formats. Lately, the use of a classical performing scheme, “à l’italienne”, is increasingly replacing the Big Top representation, within a circular platform. Now, as the Circle is the very essence of the circus art, so is the Big Top the basic geometry of its creation. Moreover, it implies some community in the way it gives access to the show: all spectators are equal as far as viewing is concerned.

Circle around aims to promote within Europe contemporary circus creations for the Ring and under the Big Top, both at the level of specific practices (the training of young artists and technicians) and in terms of the approach to the public and raising the awareness of professionals and the public authorities.

Circle around intends to:

• defend the position of circus arts in the vitality of contemporary artistic creativity at a European level.
• defend the Circle and the Big Top as perfect spaces for the production of the circus image and to contribute to the training of young performers, artists and technicians.
• promote mobility and interchange between circus professionals in Europe, in harmony with the spirit of the art of the circus where language has never been a barrier.

Circle around is developing three levels of activities based on the concepts of the Big Top and the Ring:

• Concerted distribution initiatives for several shows under the Big Top or based on the Ring backed by supportive approaches to the public.
• The organisation by each of the partners of artistic and technical master classes with reference to the concept of the Ring for the benefit of young professionals, whether artists or technicians.
• The organisation of a colloquium regarding the specificity of creating and performing circus under a tent and within a circular space.