Circus Zappelino – Gesamtschule Köln-Holweide

Circus Zappelino is the school circus for children and teenagers of the Gesamtschule Köln-Holweide , located in Cologne, Germany. Created in 1984 following a project week organized within the school, it is one of the oldest school circus projects in Cologne and has gradually developed into an important artistic, educational and inclusive project within the school.

Circus Zappelino is open to students of the Gesamtschule Köln-Holweide, from grades 5 to 13. Its operation is based on an inclusive approach to circus arts: young people can participate regardless of their level, physical abilities, or background. The project thus welcomes students with very diverse profiles, including young people with disabilities or special educational needs, alongside students who are particularly athletic or simply drawn to circus arts and artistic creation.

The training offered is particularly diverse. Young people can discover and practice many classic and contemporary circus disciplines:

• juggling
• trapeze
• ground acrobatics
• acrobatics in pairs
• thread
• balance ball
• aerial hoop
• aerial fabric
• vertical rope
• unicycle
• Chinese pole
• trampoline
• parkour
• clowning

The Zappelinos train regularly outside of class time. Additional workshops may also be organized on weekends. Each year, an intensive multi-day retreat allows the young artists to hone their skills in suitable conditions. As the performances approach, a full week of rehearsals is dedicated to finalizing the show.

Circus Zappelino goes beyond simply teaching circus techniques. Its productions combine circus arts , theatre , music , and staging in the spirit of contemporary circus. The shows are based on a compelling story into which the various artistic acts are woven. Students also participate in the creation of sets and props, while live musical accompaniment accompanies the performances.

Each year, the work produced gives rise to a series of performances in the forum of the Gesamtschule Köln-Holweide . Some sessions are intended for the general public while others are specifically for schools and kindergartens from Cologne and the surrounding area.

Beyond artistic training, Circus Zappelino is a true collective project . It fosters autonomy, cooperation, creativity, and self-confidence. Students, teachers, artists, and specialized coaches all participate in the life of the circus, preparing shows, creating sets, props, and costumes, and organizing the various productions.

With several decades of existence and a strong inclusive dimension, Circus Zappelino now represents a sustainable circus education project within the Gesamtschule Köln-Holweide and a recognized player in circus practice for young people in Cologne.