Dive into the circus arts in Reunion!

Imagine yourself in the heart of Réunion Island , where an amateur association like no other showcases circus arts and delights young and old alike. Created in 2010, Gran Pat' brings together around sixty passionate members who share their love for stilts, juggling, dance, and many other circus disciplines.
Gran Pat' is part of the ARAC Association Réunionnaise des Arts du Cirque, a rather extraordinary collective that I will tell you more about in this article.

Weekly workshops: learning and sharing

Every Wednesday starting at 4:30 p.m., the CASE de Villèle in Saint-Paul comes alive and becomes a veritable laboratory of artistic expression. Participants, aged 8 to 60, meet for introductory workshops open to all, where everyone learns and shares in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Night parades: a magical spectacle

Gran Pat' doesn't do things by halves. During the night parades , you'll be dazzled by the homemade costumes and original makeup that reflect the themes of each parade. Who hasn't dreamed of seeing artists juggling with luminous or flaming apparatus, bringing a magical show to life?

Gran Pat': a popular player at local events

Gran Pat' members are regulars at events and festivals held on the island, such as the Zétinsel Festival , Dipavali, Réunion Metis , and many others. For example, during the Gran Boucan , the association's artists walked on stilts, mesmerizing the audience with juggling and aerial dance acts. During the Nuit du Cirque, spectators were able to witness fiery performances, mixing acrobatics, dance, and juggling.

The importance of popular education and intergenerational links

Gran Pat' places particular importance on intergenerational connections and popular education, providing a space for expression and learning for all. Membership in the association is nominal—€5 for children and €10 for adults—to allow everyone to participate in these magical moments.

The Réunion Association of Circus Arts (ARAC): a dynamic and unifying collective

I wanted to tell you a little about the ARAC, of which Gran Pat' is a member. I find their operating principle interesting and certainly an excellent source of inspiration for circus organizations in mainland France.

The Réunion Circus Arts Association (ARAC) is a dynamic and unifying collective , bringing together almost all of the circus companies and schools in Réunion since 2015. The ARAC aims to promote circus arts, unite companies, create a network of schools and training courses, enable synergy between actions and develop a mutual aid network. Réunion companies are rich in diversity, personality and ambition, and offer varied and mixed shows. Circus schools in Réunion have come together within the ARAC around a common educational project, in conjunction with national partners such as the FFEC . Through this network of schools, the ARAC brings its educational ambitions to life for an audience in perpetual motion, whether children or adults. Training programs are constantly evolving and are offered at permanent, traveling, or off-site locations throughout the island. Finally, circus arts in Reunion Island are marked by a blend of diverse cultural influences, reflecting the passion for this art and the island's cultural richness.

An example of this partnership that Phil Papet of the Gran'Pat association told us about is the sharing of equipment: technical or circus materials. Little by little, it has become a collective with a family spirit and mutual support through the sharing of resources.

Creative residencies: bringing the imagination to life

In addition to workshops and performances, Gran Pat' regularly organizes creative residencies where members can give free rein to their imaginations. During a recent residency, the association brought to life "Pablo and His Ostriches," a show combining stilts, dance, and comedy.

Proud of its values of mutual aid, generosity and promotion of Creole identity, Gran Pat' is an important cultural and circus actor on the island of Reunion . If you want to join this passionate and talented troupe, do not hesitate to contact them at 06 93 41 94 97 or by email at granpat2.974@gmail.com . You can also follow their adventures on Facebook at @granpat . Get ready to live a unique experience, where the magic of the circus mixes with the enthusiasm and creativity of this incredible community!

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