Cirkonet 2024 - the network of youth and social circus came to life in Brno
We are pleased to bring you news about this year's meeting of the Cirkonet network, which took place on 8-10 November in the cosy premises of Cirkus LeGrando in Brno. Cirkonet brings together organisations and individuals who believe that the new circus can positively change lives and strengthen communities. This weekend brought lots of ideas, inspiration and hands-on experiences - from health exercises to artistic experiments with shadow play!
Creative workshops, inspiring discussions and collaboration
The meeting kicked off with a friendly evening barbecue, where, in addition to grilled goods, the first ideas on how to bring circus arts to cities and regions were shared. Friday's informal discussions created a space for sharing experiences, funny stories and dreaming together about the future of circus.
Saturday was already packed with the programme. Members of the network presented news from their organisations - we learned about unique projects from different parts of Europe, from local circus workshops to large community events. The discussions confirmed that the Cirkonet network is growing and that it is delivering more and more diverse activities that make a difference in the lives of young people.
Special workshops and activities
This year the programme was enriched with innovative workshops that opened up new possibilities in circus pedagogy. We tried unconventional activities such as graffiti, music making through looper, or working with meotar, which transformed movement and improvisation into shadow play. These activities showed us that everyone can have a role in circus - whether as an acrobat, musician or visual effects creator.
Very valuable was the lecture of physiotherapist MUDr. Katka Smíšková about physical body disbalances in children. We learned new ways to encourage healthy posture in our little circus kids and are trying to figure out how to incorporate exercises into the lessons in a playful way. Kate's tips have inspired us to make sure that healthy movement is the foundation of any circus act.
The identity and future of Cirkonet
The afternoon was about strategic planning. Cirkonet board members presented plans that could help us better connect circus organizations, train new teachers, and bring circus to new regions. In brainstorming groups, we worked together to find ways to further support young circus practitioners and bring circus into schools and "forgotten" regions. At the same time we decided to strengthen the Slovak section of Cirkonet by creating a working group. These discussions have shown that the network has a strong potential to expand the circus community and bring values such as cooperation and creativity.
Thank you!
Many thanks to Cirkus LeGrando for their hospitality and to all the participants for their great ideas and energy. The Cirkonet 2024 gathering was full of mutual support and inspiration - we reaffirmed that circus can be a powerful tool for positive change.
We look forward to the next meeting where we will join forces and bring new ideas for an even stronger and more vibrant circus community!
