CYRKUS – Kinder- und Jugendzirkus Görlitz-Zgorzelec

CYRKUS is a large-scale circus education project for children and teenagers developed in the cross-border European city of Görlitz-Zgorzelec , on the border between Germany and Poland. It is run by the non-profit association KulturBrücken Görlitz eV

Its identity is based precisely on this particular geographical situation. The name CYRKUS combines the Polish word " cyrk " and the German word " Zirkus " and symbolizes the desire to create a common space in which children and teenagers from both sides of the border can meet through circus arts.

Circus arts pedagogy is used as a way to overcome linguistic and cultural barriers. Juggling together, performing an acrobatic feat, or creating a show allows young Germans and Poles to communicate through movement and collective action, even when they don't speak the same language.

The project now reaches approximately 200 children and teenagers each week. The organization also relies on several dozen young volunteers, three educational professionals employed by the association, and a team of German and Polish artists who regularly lead workshops.

CYRKUS offers around twenty workshops per week. This regular activity makes it a true circus school and not simply an event project or a holiday-based workshop.

The main weekly program is historically called " CYRKUS im Laden | w sklepie ". Created in the spring of 2012 , it originally used a former empty commercial space in Görlitz as a training area. The project's development required a larger space, and activities now utilize, among other things, the CYRKUS DOMicil .

The regular program is aimed at children and teenagers from 0 to 18 years old . Activities are therefore offered from early childhood and continue progressively up to groups for experienced teenagers.

BabyCYRKUS is the first entry point. This activity allows very young children accompanied by their parents to discover movement, space and the world of the circus in an environment adapted to their age.

CYRKUS-Spiele then allows children aged 4 to 6 to gradually discover different disciplines. The goal is to develop imagination, personal expression, creativity, and cooperation through playful activities.

From around age 7 , children can join more specialized workshops. These include juggling, floor acrobatics, unicycling, clowning, and various performance projects.

Juggling has its own workshop. Participants can gradually develop coordination, rhythm and manipulation while learning to use the techniques acquired in an artistic context.

Unicycling is also a regular discipline. As in the other workshops, technical learning is combined with the development of autonomy and the preparation of group performances.

Floor acrobatics is organized into several levels to allow children to progress gradually. The work may include individual acrobatics, duo acrobatics, and group exercises.

Aerial disciplines are offered for children from around 9 years old , with groups for beginners and more experienced practitioners. Aerial silks are among the disciplines taught, along with other forms of aerial acrobatics.

Clowning also has a specific place in the program. It allows children to work on physical expression, stage presence, creativity and character development.

Theatrical techniques are more broadly integrated into the various courses. CYRKUS wants participants to learn not only a discipline, but also how to transform their skills into a genuine performance piece.

Music is also part of the project. A CYRKUSband allows young people to integrate musical practice into this artistic world and to develop creations where different forms of expression can meet.

Teenagers have specific groups in which they can delve deeper into their favorite disciplines. The most experienced practitioners work together, develop their own shows, and can gradually take on more responsibility in the running of CYRKUS.

This empowerment of teenagers is an important feature of the project. Some young people can train to become workshop assistants and in turn participate in passing on techniques to younger generations.

CYRKUS also offers activities for adults . Open, self-directed training allows participants to practice different disciplines, while a specific aerial acrobatics course is offered with professional supervision.

Performances play an important role in the teaching process. Several times a year, participants present to the public the creations developed with the educational and artistic directors.

These performances take place on both the German and Polish sides of the border. CYRKUS has notably performed at the Gerhart-Hauptmann-Theater in Görlitz, on the Apollo-Bühne , at the Miejski Dom Kultury in Zgorzelec and at various cultural events in the region.

The major project " CYRKUS im Sommer | w lecie " is another highlight of the year. This cross-border initiative began in 2007 as a summer camp bringing together German and Polish children.

The project is currently organized in the form of two camps: one camp for children aged 9 to 13 and another for teenagers aged 14 and over who already have circus experience.

During these stays, the young people live together, train and develop their circus skills in a truly bilingual environment. Supervision is provided by a German-Polish team.

Over the years, these camps have fostered numerous friendships between young Germans and Poles. Some former participants have gone on to become active in circus arts education themselves.

CYRKUS is also developing the CYRKUS.spielt.platz project, which uses circus arts directly in public spaces. This initiative aims in particular to reach children and teenagers who would not spontaneously attend a circus school.

The project pays particular attention to children and families facing social difficulties, as well as to people from immigrant backgrounds. Juggling, acrobatics, clowning, and unicycling become tools for building connections and developing cooperation, tolerance, and self-confidence.

With " CYRKUS im Koffer | CYRKUS w walizce ", the team also has a mobile option. They can perform in schools, kindergartens, festivals, parties and other venues wishing to offer an introduction to circus arts.

The association also organizes several major events. Two summer camps are organized each year and, depending on the year, CYRKUS notably organizes an interregional meeting of circus groups or an international festival dedicated to circus arts and small artistic forms.

The international dimension is therefore not simply a communication tool. The activities are genuinely organized on both sides of the border and involve German and Polish children, teenagers, artists and educators.

CYRKUS thus constitutes a particularly interesting example of circus arts used as a tool for intercultural exchange. Circus techniques become a common language, allowing participants to communicate and create together beyond their linguistic differences.

With around 200 children and teenagers involved each week, some twenty regular workshops, activities ranging from early childhood to adults, international camps, shows and social projects, CYRKUS is today a major circus education structure in the Görlitz-Zgorzelec region.