Cirkus Kæphøj – Holbæk

Cirkus Kæphøj is a circus school for children and teenagers located in Holbæk , in the Zeeland region of Denmark.

Founded on September 1, 1985 , it constitutes an original structure combining a circus school, a municipal leisure club and a performance company for young artists.

The facility is created and administered by the municipality of Holbæk. It accommodates approximately 55 children and adolescents aged 10 to 16 years.

Its unique feature lies in its operation: young people participate in all stages of creating a real circus show, from learning the disciplines to performing under the big top.

A circus school founded in 1985

The story of Cirkus Kæphøj begins on September 1, 1985 .

Originally, the project was developed from a leisure center in Holbæk, with about sixty children and a few passionate adults.

The first performances were organized only two months after the creation of the structure.

In 1986 , the school received its own two-masted big top, capable of accommodating approximately 150 spectators.

On June 2, 1986 , Cirkus Kæphøj presented its first major show under a big top.

The project is developing rapidly and attracting an ever-growing audience.

In 1987 , the shows attracted approximately 12,000 spectators .

This same year also marks the beginning of the first tours.

Since then, Cirkus Kæphøj has continued its activities by combining artistic training, collective creation and public performances.

A municipal club dedicated to the circus

Cirkus Kæphøj functions as a municipal leisure club.

Unlike a school offering only a few hours of classes per week, young people have a place where they can practice circus arts, participate in group activities and meet up with their friends.

The facility accommodates approximately 55 members aged 10 to 16 years old.

No prior experience in circus arts is necessary to register.

The key is to want to discover new disciplines, to train and to participate in a collective artistic project.

Juggling

Juggling is one of the traditional disciplines taught at Cirkus Kæphøj.

Young people can discover different object manipulation techniques and develop their coordination.

This discipline helps to develop concentration, precision and perseverance.

Students gradually progress in their mastery of the figures and can integrate their skills into acts presented in front of an audience.

Acrobatics

Acrobatics plays an important role in training.

Participants develop their coordination, balance, and physical abilities.

The exercises can be individual or group exercises.

Acrobatics also helps to develop mutual trust and cooperation among young artists.

balance wire

Tightrope walking is one of the disciplines offered by the school.

Participants learn to develop their balance and concentration.

This activity requires precision and good body control.

It also helps to build self-confidence as students progress.

Unicycle

Unicycling is another traditional discipline of Cirkus Kæphøj.

The young people discover the techniques of balance and movement on one wheel.

This practice develops coordination, perseverance, and control of movements.

It also offers numerous possibilities for creating acts for shows.

Trapeze

The trapeze is one of the aerial disciplines taught.

Students can discover different figures and positions on this suspended apparatus.

The practice requires strength, coordination, and body awareness.

The techniques are practiced within the framework of supervised training sessions.

Clown and stage performance

The art of clowning occupies an important place in the world of Cirkus Kæphøj.

It allows young people to approach the performance from a different angle than purely technical disciplines.

Participants can work on their creativity, body expression, and relationship with the audience.

This discipline helps to develop self-confidence and improvisation skills.

Dance and rhythmic percussion

In addition to traditional disciplines, Cirkus Kæphøj incorporates contemporary forms of artistic expression.

Dance is one of the activities offered.

The school also uses stomp, a rhythmic practice based on percussion and the creative use of sounds.

These activities help to enrich the shows and develop the participants' sense of rhythm.

A pedagogy based on collective creation

Cirkus Kæphøj's pedagogy is based on a common goal: to prepare a circus performance.

During the winter months, students discover different disciplines and develop their skills.

At the beginning of the season, they can try out several activities according to their desires.

They then choose one or two disciplines in which they wish to participate in the annual show.

This organization allows everyone to find their place in the creative process.

The training sessions gradually become more specific as the performances approach.

Professional artists as participants

The supervision is provided by a permanent team of four adults with different artistic and pedagogical skills.

Their areas of expertise include circus techniques, dramaturgy, scenography and show organization.

The school also calls upon former students and professional artists.

These speakers enable young people to discover different approaches to disciplines and to benefit from expert advice.

Parents also participate in certain activities, particularly in preparing the facilities at the beginning of the season.

A veritable circus under the big top

One of the main features of Cirkus Kæphøj is that it has its own big top .

Each year, the young people prepare a complete production for the public.

The performances follow the conventions of the traditional circus.

Spectators are welcomed in front of the big top, tickets are distributed or sold in a circus caravan, and entertainment accompanies the arrival of the public.

The children actively participate in this organization.

The young people participate in all stages of the show

At Cirkus Kæphøj, the children are not only the artists present on the stage.

They also take part in the various tasks necessary for the performance.

They can participate in the music, the presentation of the acts, the lighting, welcoming the public and preparing the costumes.

This organization allows you to discover the many professions and skills necessary for the operation of a show.

It also encourages accountability, autonomy, and teamwork.

An annual season of shows

Cirkus Kæphøj organizes a series of public performances every year.

The shows represent the culmination of the work done during the preceding months.

They allow participants to showcase their skills in front of a real audience.

The season usually takes place in the spring and summer .

In 2026 , the performances were scheduled between May 30 and June 16 .

Specific sessions were also organised for schools and institutions.

International tours

Cirkus Kæphøj has a long tradition of touring.

The first tour was organized in 1987 .

Since then, the young artists have had the opportunity to travel to several European countries.

Historical destinations include Germany , Sweden , Scotland , the Netherlands , Belgium , Luxembourg , Portugal and England .

These trips allow participants to discover the experience of a touring company.

Tours also represent important moments of collective life and cultural exchange.

A school that develops autonomy

Cirkus Kæphøj places particular importance on youth involvement.

Participants are encouraged to take initiative and get involved in preparing the shows.

Working together requires respecting others, cooperating, and keeping commitments.

The school considers the learning process and the artistic result as two complementary aspects.

Individual progress contributes to the success of the show, while collective preparation encourages everyone to develop their skills.

A place to live for young people

In addition to circus activities, Cirkus Kæphøj functions as a true leisure club.

Members can use the premises to practice various activities.

The establishment offers, among other things, table tennis , sewing , games , sports and music .

Young people can also use their free time to continue their circus training.

This organization helps to create a friendly environment in which participants develop lasting relationships.

Discovery activities during the holidays

Cirkus Kæphøj also offers occasional activities allowing other children to discover the circus arts.

Introductory workshops can be organised, in particular, during school holidays.

Participants can try different disciplines such as juggling, diabolo, unicycle, tightrope walking or aerial apparatus.

These activities offer a first glimpse into the world of the circus.

A school open to beginners

No particular artistic or sporting experience is required to join Cirkus Kæphøj.

The school prioritizes motivation , curiosity , and a desire to participate .

Young people gradually discover the disciplines and choose those that correspond to their interests.

Participation in training sessions requires a regular commitment, especially during show preparation.

A historic Danish circus school

Since 1985 , Cirkus Kæphøj has contributed to the transmission of circus arts to children and teenagers in Holbæk.

Its operation combines technical learning, artistic creation, collective life and public performances.

The big top, international tours and the participation of young people in all stages of the show are the main features of this structure.

Cirkus Kæphøj thus offers a complete circus arts experience, in which each participant can develop their skills and take part in a true collective artistic adventure.