Circus UBUNTU – der Circus

Circus UBUNTU is an educational circus project for children and teenagers based in Horst, Schleswig-Holstein, in northern Germany. Run by the non-profit organization Soziale Projekte eV , the project has existed since 1995 and combines learning circus arts, artistic creation, community living and the development of social skills.

One of UBUNTU's unique features is that it offers young people an experience that goes far beyond a simple circus class. For several months, the young artists train regularly to collectively build a real show. They participate in developing the acts and the program, refine their techniques, and also discover everything that allows them to transform circus skills into a production for the public.

Artistic practice includes acrobatics and juggling, but the various courses and workshops allow participants to discover a much wider range of disciplines. Depending on the programs offered, participants can practice:

• the unicycle , the balance ball, the rola-bola, the tightrope;
• juggling with scarves, balls, rings and clubs;
• the diabolo, the Chinese plates, the poi;
• ground acrobatics, duo acrobatics, human pyramids;
• different forms of aerial acrobatics .

Circus UBUNTU also organizes classes, specialized workshops, and intensive courses during school holidays. These activities allow beginners as well as young people with prior circus experience to discover new disciplines and progress according to their own abilities. Some intensive courses are specifically designed for children and teenagers aged 6 to 14 , while other workshops focus on particular practices such as aerial acrobatics or clowning.

UBUNTU's major annual project takes the form of a real traveling circus . After several months of preparation and training, the young artists participate in a tour during the summer holidays with the association's big top. They then experience life similar to that of a circus company: travel, communal living, setting up and running the camp, preparing performances, and meeting the public are all integral parts of the project.

This collective dimension is at the heart of Ubuntu's philosophy. The project seeks to develop the following in children and adolescents:

• autonomy ;
• perseverance ;
• creativity ;
• a sense of responsibility;
• social skills .

Young people learn to work together, to respect each other's abilities and differences, and to actively participate in the success of a common project.

Ubuntu also functions as a community bringing together children, teenagers, and adults. Everyone can contribute their skills to the project, whether artistic, musical, technical, or manual. Sharing knowledge plays a significant role: everyone can both learn from others and pass on what they know.

The name "Ubuntu" refers to a philosophy emphasizing the interdependence between individuals and the community. This idea is reflected in the way the circus operates, which places great importance on solidarity, cooperation, and the opportunity for everyone to find their place within the group.

Circus UBUNTU is therefore a particularly comprehensive circus education project: young people can discover different disciplines, take courses and internships, develop their own artistic and physical abilities, participate in the creation of a show and live the exceptional experience of a real circus tour under a big top.