Circus Balloni – Travelling Educational Circus

Circus Balloni is a Swiss organization specializing in circus education, artistic activities, and the creation of participatory shows. Based in Sirnach , in the canton of Thurgau , this traveling circus operates throughout Switzerland, working with schools, associations, local authorities, and various socio-cultural organizations.

The project's history begins in 1988 , when Lucas Cadonau , known by his clown character Pepe , developed his first independent activities around clowning, entertainment, and circus classes. In 1990 , he officially founded Circus Balloni .

Over the years, this individual initiative has become a true circus structure, bringing together artists, socio-cultural facilitators, educators and technicians around a common project: to allow as many people as possible to discover and practice the circus arts.

Circus Weeks (Zirkuswochen)

One of Circus Balloni 's main activities is the organization of circus weeks, called Zirkuswochen.

These projects are offered in particular to nursery, primary and secondary schools , but can also be adapted to specialized structures, holiday programs, neighborhood projects and intergenerational meetings.

For one week, participants gradually discover different circus disciplines, choose their favorite activities, develop their skills and prepare a final performance together.

• The first day is usually used to present the different techniques and to form the groups.
• The following days are devoted to experimentation , training and creating acts .

Juggling , acrobatics , balancing , clowning and various forms of stage expression all contribute to this collective discovery.

Participants do not simply reproduce figures: they are encouraged to imagine their own proposals and to actively participate in the construction of the show.

The workshops thus combine technical learning , creativity , improvisation , body expression and cooperation .

A group-centered pedagogy

Circus Balloni 's pedagogy places particular importance on group dynamics . Activities can bring together children of different ages, students from several classes, or participants from different structures.

Teachers , chaperones and parents can also be involved in the projects.

Circus Balloni notably develops inclusive weeks associating ordinary and specialized schools, or children and residents of facilities for the elderly.

This approach makes the circus a tool for meeting and collective participation , beyond its purely sporting or artistic dimension.

The final performance

Each week of circus training usually culminates in a real public performance .

The acts prepared by the participants are brought together in a show incorporating music , costumes , lighting and theatrical elements.

The structure has its own technical equipment and several big tops for this purpose, allowing it to recreate the conditions of a real circus performance.

Introductory workshops (Zirkustage) and professional shows

In addition to educational weeks, Circus Balloni offers introductory days, or Zirkustage, adapted for groups of children as well as adults.

These shorter formats allow you to discover the world of the circus for a few hours or a full day, particularly in the context of school projects , community events or corporate events .

The organization also develops professional entertainment and shows .

Clowning occupies an important historical place in his identity, notably through the character of Pepe , played by Lucas Cadonau, and his duo creations with Tommy Müller .

These shows combine humor , juggling , magic , improvisation and audience participation .

Technical autonomy and a multidisciplinary team

Circus Balloni also has a significant technical activity related to the installation and rental of marquees .

This material autonomy allows it to support projects of different sizes, from a small introductory day to a full week of circus activities bringing together many classes.

The team brings together professionals with complementary backgrounds: socio-cultural animation , teaching , juggling , acrobatics , dance , clowning , movement pedagogy and circus technique .

Combining these skills makes it possible to adapt interventions to the needs of participants, their age, and the educational objectives of partner organizations.

Solidarity commitment and itinerant identity

Circus Balloni also maintains an international solidarity dimension through its commitment to the Plume association, which supports access to circus activities for disadvantaged children and teenagers in different countries.

Still active in 2026 , Circus Balloni is thus a historical player in the Swiss educational circus .

Unlike a traditional circus school organized around weekly classes in a permanent venue, it favours a mobile pedagogy based on collective projects , circus immersion and the creation of shows .

This approach allows many children and adults to discover circus arts directly in their school, community or care facility.