The Berlin Circus Festival, one of Germany's most important contemporary circus events, will turn the spotlight on Catalan creation this year, with a dedicated focus to highlight the vitality, diversity and international reach of circus created in Catalonia.

This focus will form part of the MERIDIAN(s) programme under the Catalan Ministry of Culture's Circus Promotion Plan, which seeks to strengthen ties between Catalonia and Germany through reciprocal programming, residencies and professional exchanges.

From 9 to 11 August, the Girona-based company Fèmut, comprising Raimon Mató, Júlia Clarà Badosa and Àfrica Llorens, will present Clam, an ode to the simple life, freedom and the beauty of sharing, through partner acrobatics, the pole, dance and the music of Anna Ferrer.

From 11 to 13 August, Eunoia Kolectiva, a company made up of eight seasoned acrobats grouped into four duos – Blanca&Guim, Guille&Amer, Dúo Nep and Du'K'to – will present Tenet, a fresh and vibrant show in which the performers execute acrobatics that push the limits of balance.

From 14 to 16 August, Ákri, a solo circus piece by Barcelona-based Manel Rosés, will combine acrobatics, object manipulation, theatre and clowning in a performance that moves between humour and philosophy, playfully reflecting on the craft of the circus artist.

Finally, on 15 and 16 August, the company Totapedra will present Pifia by Andreu Casadellà (a clown, acrobat and trapeze artist) and Julia Clarà (a physical theatre specialist and director). This family-friendly show features spectacular acrobatics and a generous dose of humour.

All performances will take place on various stages at Tempelhofer Feld, a public park historically used as a military training ground and airport.

The professional programme

The artistic programme will be accompanied by PRO Days, which are dedicated to international performing arts professionals and will feature pitching sessions, work-in-progress showcases and panel discussions.

These PRO Days will offer an overview of international networks, new artistic creations and current debates in contemporary circus.

Highlights will include a panel discussion on international projects featuring Mike Ribalta from FiraTàrrega, and a session on circus history involving the Arxiu de Circ, created by La Central del Circ.

Second Circus Promotion Plan 2023-2026

The MERIDIAN(s) programme is coordinated by the Catalan Association of Circus Professionals (APCC) and supported by the Institut Ramon Llull (IRL) and the Catalan Institute for Cultural Enterprises (ICEC).

It forms part of the CirC – Catalan Circus International Rings measure included in the Second Circus Promotion Plan 2023-2026, an initiative of the Catalan Department of Culture and the Catalan Association of Circus Professionals (APCC), with the collaboration of the Institut Ramon Llull, Ateneu Popular 9 Barris, the Centre de les Arts del Circ Rogelio Rivel, Eduxarxa, the Catalan Association of Circus Training (AFOCC), Fira Trapezi / Reus City Council, La Central del Circ and Mercat de les Flors, and with the cooperation of various municipalities, organisations and performing arts venues across Catalonia.