Circokot asbl – Louvain-la-Neuve

Circokot is a student-run project located in Louvain-la-Neuve and dedicated to promoting circus and street arts. Created in 2002 , it now consists of a team of about ten students who renew and continue the project each year.

Its operation differs from that of a traditional circus school. Circokot does not offer a structured annual curriculum based on age groups and levels, but develops a range of activities designed to make circus arts accessible to the widest possible audience.

Historically, his project is organized around three main axes : animation , initiation and gathering .

The initiation

The introductory sessions allow the public to discover different circus arts techniques. Circokot organizes a regular session on Thursdays at 6:30 pm in the GSA room of the Blocry sports complex.

These sessions allow you to discover and practice different disciplines in a group setting, benefiting from the experience of the members and practitioners present.

Juggling, a central practice

Juggling naturally occupies a central place in the project. Since its creation, Circokot has participated in the development of the juggling community in Louvain-la-Neuve and organizes various events allowing practitioners to meet.

Balls, clubs, rings and other juggling objects are among the equipment used, alongside many other manipulation disciplines.

The diabolo and the devil stick or flower stick are also among the practices present within the collective.

The unicycle is another emblematic discipline. It is used both in introductory activities and in gatherings and events organized around the circus.

Balances are also represented with equipment such as the pedal go and various accessories allowing the discovery of this family of techniques.

Hula hoops , Chinese plates and scarves complete the discovery and practice equipment available at Circokot.

The group also owns a large inventory of equipment which it offers for rent . This allows practitioners to have access to juggling and circus equipment for their own training or events.

The practice of fire

The practice of fire has historically held a special place in the artistic identity of Circokot. The collective creates shows and street performances incorporating various fire techniques within the framework of structured presentations.

Creation and animation

But Circokot is as much a creative and performance collective as it is a practice space. Its members develop shows each year that are presented at university, cultural and festive events.

The collective's artistic universe readily blends circus , street theatre , music , street performances and interventions in public spaces .

This desire to take the circus out of its traditional framework has been present since the project's inception. The members refer to their interventions, which blend performances, music, costumes, objects, and deliberately unconventional situations, as " circo-poetry ."

Circokot also organizes introductory workshops at external events . These activities allow children and adults alike to discover circus techniques under the supervision of several instructors.

The collective also participates in festivals, community events, student demonstrations and private events with introductory sessions, parades and shows.

The gathering and meetings between practitioners

Another key aspect of the project concerns meetings between practitioners. Circokot has contributed since its inception to the gatherings of jugglers organized in Louvain-la-Neuve.

These gatherings allow practitioners of different levels to meet, train together, exchange techniques and share their interest in circus arts.

The CircoCabaret

CircoCabaret is another historic event for the collective. The idea is to bring together creations from Circokot and artists from the world of circus, street performance, or stage performance in a single evening.

This encounter with external artists helps to create bridges between student practice, amateur practice and the professional artistic sector.

The Midday-Midnight of the Street Juggler

Circokot is also behind the Midis-Minuit de la Jongle'Rue , a festival dedicated to street arts organized in Louvain-la-Neuve.

The festival transforms the Grand-Place into a space for shows, workshops and encounters. Jugglers, acrobats, aerialists and other circus artists mingle with the public and amateur practitioners.

The aim of the event is to make the circus world accessible to the widest possible public and to create a true cultural gathering around the circus arts.

Throughout its history, Circokot has also developed various projects under the big top and collaborated with other student collectives, cultural structures and circus schools.

This activity helps to make Louvain-la-Neuve a regular meeting place for juggling and street arts.

A project that is primarily student-run

Circokot's student-run character is its main distinguishing feature. The team changes over the years, but new generations continue the events, practices, and philosophy developed since 2002.

Circokot should therefore not be considered a traditional circus school. Rather, it is a student-run association space for the transmission, practice, creation and dissemination of circus arts.

For people wishing to practice juggling and discover different disciplines in an open and collective setting in Louvain-la-Neuve, its initiations and gatherings nevertheless constitute a real gateway to the circus arts .