Circus Tijdgeest – Enschede

Circus Tijdgeest is an amateur circus association located in Enschede, in the province of Overijssel, in the east of the Netherlands. Founded on May 23, 1987, it has been developing activities dedicated to the discovery, practice and transmission of circus arts for almost forty years.

The association welcomes a particularly wide audience, including children, teenagers, and adults. It aims to allow everyone to discover circus arts in a friendly, accessible, and collective environment.

Circus Tijdgeest offers regular sessions in its training area located in Kozakkenpark , Enschede.

Participants can come and discover different disciplines, train and gradually develop their skills.

Unlike some circus schools organized solely around age and skill levels, Circus Tijdgeest favours an open practice allowing participants to explore several techniques according to their desires.

Object manipulation disciplines

Juggling is one of the association's historical disciplines.

From its inception, Circus Tijdgeest offered activities dedicated to the manipulation of objects, including juggling, diabolo and Chinese plates .

Participants can learn to handle different accessories and develop their coordination, concentration, and precision.

The diabolo occupies an important place among the techniques offered.

This discipline allows you to discover different movements, throws and sequences, while developing coordination of movements.

The bolas , also called poi , are among the activities practiced within the association.

Participants discover circular movements and the possibilities of creating figures with these accessories.

Flowerstick is another manipulation discipline offered by Circus Tijdgeest.

This activity helps to develop coordination, rhythm and control of movements.

The balance disciplines

Balance disciplines also occupy an important place in the history and activities of the association.

The unicycle has been among the techniques offered since 1988 .

Participants can gradually learn to find their balance, move around and develop their mastery of this apparatus.

Tightrope walking is another historical discipline of Circus Tijdgeest.

It helps to develop stability, concentration and body control.

Stilt walking is also among the activities offered.

Participants discover the unique sensations associated with moving at height and gradually learn to control their movements.

Acrobatics and aerial disciplines

Acrobatics is another important component of the circus arts practiced within the association.

It helps to develop coordination, strength, flexibility and body awareness.

The exercises can also promote cooperation and trust among participants.

Circus Tijdgeest also offers the opportunity to discover aerial silks .

This discipline allows the exploration of different figures created on a suspended fabric, combining strength, coordination and body expression.

Clown is also among the disciplines presented by the association.

This activity helps develop creativity, personal expression, and audience interaction.

An open and diverse practice

The diversity of disciplines is one of the main characteristics of Circus Tijdgeest.

Each participant can discover different techniques and choose those they wish to explore further.

Some practitioners develop a preference for juggling and object manipulation, while others are more interested in balances, acrobatics, or aerial disciplines.

The weekly sessions

The association organizes several practice sessions each week.

• Children and adults can participate in the open slots on Monday and Tuesday afternoons .
• An additional open training session is offered on Monday evenings for people aged 16 and over .

These meetings allow participants to practice regularly and to meet other enthusiasts of circus arts.

Conviviality and transmission

Friendliness is an essential element of how Circus Tijdgeest operates.

The association brings together people of different ages and backgrounds around a common interest in circus arts.

Participants can exchange knowledge, share experiences, and progress together.

This approach promotes mutual support and the informal transmission of skills.

Discovery workshops and events

Circus Tijdgeest also develops an important activity around discovery workshops .

The association is involved in various events organized in Enschede and the surrounding municipalities.

These interventions allow children and adults to discover circus arts in a one-off setting.

Participants can experiment with several disciplines and discover the possibilities offered by circus accessories.

The association participates in local events, family-oriented events, and educational projects.

These activities help to raise awareness of circus arts among a wider audience.

The annual circus week

Circus Tijdgeest also organizes an annual circus week .

This event is an important one in the life of the association.

For several days, participants can discover and practice different disciplines under a real big top .

The workshops are organized throughout the week and allow both children and adults to prepare a collective performance.

The week traditionally ends with a show open to the public .

The participants then present the acts and techniques worked on during the workshops.

This experience allows you to discover the joy of performing and to share your achievements with the audience.

The final show also incorporated various original characters and acts imagined by the participants.

This event illustrates Circus Tijdgeest's desire to make circus arts accessible and to promote collective participation.

A long history of projects and exchanges

The association has a long history marked by numerous projects and trips.

From its earliest years, Circus Tijdgeest developed performance activities and participated in international exchanges.

In 1989 , a group from the association notably went to Denmark to present street performances and meet other circus schools.

Further travels then contributed to enriching his artistic and community experience.

These initiatives demonstrate the importance placed on meetings and exchanges in the development of Circus Tijdgeest.

Over the years, the association has gradually expanded the disciplines offered.

Initially focused on juggling, diabolo, Chinese plates, balancing and acrobatics, it has incorporated new techniques such as unicycling, stilt walking, tightrope walking and aerial disciplines.

This evolution now allows participants to discover a wide diversity of practices.

An association-based structure founded on commitment

The associative structure is an essential characteristic of Circus Tijdgeest.

All activities rely on the involvement of volunteers who contribute to the daily life of the organization.

These volunteers participate in the organization of sessions, the preparation of materials, workshops and shows.

The association also welcomes people wishing to get involved in its activities.

This collective commitment helps to maintain a welcoming environment and promotes encounters between generations.

The contributions of circus arts

Circus Tijdgeest considers circus arts as an activity that allows for the development of various skills.

• Juggling and manipulation disciplines require coordination, concentration, and perseverance.
• Balancing requires patience, body control, and self-confidence.
• Acrobatics and aerial disciplines help develop physical abilities and coordination.
• Preparing for the shows encourages creativity, personal expression, and teamwork.

The diversity of activities allows everyone to discover their own abilities and progress according to their desires.

A historical structure in the Enschede region

With nearly forty years of existence , weekly sessions and numerous public interventions, Circus Tijdgeest constitutes a historical structure of amateur circus practice in the Enschede region.

The association combines technical discovery, regular training, creativity and collective participation.

It thus offers children, teenagers and adults a space to discover circus arts, develop their skills and share the pleasure of practicing together.