Ell Circo D’ell Fuego – Antwerp

Ell Circo D'ell Fuego, often abbreviated ECDF, is an important structure dedicated to circus arts based in Antwerp. It defines itself today as a " circushaven ", literally a port or haven of the circus: a place where one can come to learn, train, create, meet other practitioners and develop an artistic project.

Its activity covers a particularly broad spectrum, from introducing children to the circus to supporting young artists and professionals.

A wide range of courses

The school welcomes children, teenagers and adults through a wide range of weekly classes and holiday workshops.

The initial training allows participants to discover circus arts in a multidisciplinary way. Multi-circus classes, in particular, offer the opportunity to experiment with different families of techniques before potentially choosing a discipline to specialize in further.

An identity marked by acrobatics

Acrobatics plays a particularly important role in the identity of Ell Circo D'ell Fuego. Several courses allow for the practice of ground acrobatics, jumps, lifts and different forms of group acrobatics.

Students who wish to go further can join more intensive programs. Acro-bad , for example, is aimed at young people from the age of 12 who wish to seriously develop their skills.

This program includes acrobatics, lifts, teetering, floor work, jumps, and aerial techniques. Students attend a minimum of two classes each week to develop a more in-depth understanding of the program.

Numerous specializations

Ell Circo D'ell Fuego also offers numerous specialist courses.

The Cyr wheel is one of the disciplines taught. This large metal wheel helps develop balance, coordination, spatial awareness, and mastery of circular movement.

The German wheel is also among the specialties offered. ECDF also has a genuine tradition in developing less commonly taught circus techniques.

The organization presents itself as a key player in technical innovation within the Flemish circus. Throughout its history, it has notably contributed to the development of practices around the teeterboard, the German wheel, the Russian bar, and the flying trapeze.

Acrobatics also benefits from specialized courses. This discipline is based on the construction of figures with several people and requires as much body control as trust and communication between partners.

Aerial disciplines also occupy an important place. The school notably has an " Aerial Playground " allowing students to experiment with different forms of aerial acrobatics.

The flying trapeze is one of the particularly remarkable activities offered by ECDF. Specific sessions and courses allow participants to discover this spectacular discipline in suitable conditions.

The program also includes juggling, unicycling and various manipulation and balance disciplines depending on the groups and periods.

Circus for all ages

The practice doesn't stop at childhood and adolescence. Ell Circo D'ell Fuego also offers activities for adults and even a " Circus 55+ " course specifically designed for people aged 55 and over.

This diversity illustrates one of the important characteristics of the project: enabling the practice of circus arts at different times in life and with different objectives.

Some simply come to discover a leisure activity while others wish to gradually build a much more intensive artistic practice.

Towards an intensive artistic practice

For the latter, ECDF has developed several pathways allowing them to move from amateur school to a creative approach or possibly to higher artistic studies.

The " Circusstroom " program is designed for young people already deeply committed to their practice. Students choose several courses corresponding to their interests and simultaneously participate in days dedicated to creation.

They are individually supported in their development in order to work on their technique, their creativity and their identity within the circus community.

The " Springplank " program takes this approach even further. It is specifically aimed at young people who plan to pursue artistic studies and allows them to develop autonomy, physical fitness, strength, flexibility, and mastery of their discipline.

The goal is therefore no longer solely to learn figures, but progressively to learn to think and build one's own artistic practice.

A pedagogy based on pleasure and creativity

The teaching method of Ell Circo D'ell Fuego is strongly based on pleasure, imagination, humor and creativity.

Circus arts are considered a tool for developing perseverance, cooperation, and resilience. The gradual and controlled risk-taking allows participants to build confidence and better understand their own abilities.

The possibility of failure is an integral part of this philosophy. Trying, failing, understanding, and starting again are considered normal stages of learning.

A social and local commitment

The organization also develops a social policy aimed at making its activities accessible to different audiences. Discounts are offered, in particular, so that the cost of classes does not systematically present a barrier to participation.

This desire for openness is reflected in the actions carried out directly in the neighborhoods of Antwerp.

ECDF thus develops various local circus activities allowing children and young people to encounter circus arts outside the traditional functioning of the school.

The TaRMaK project is another important aspect of this social approach. It offers circus programs for children and young people facing difficult family situations.

The circus becomes a tool for living positive experiences, enjoying practicing together, and gradually developing different personal and social skills.

The organization also works with schools. The workshops then use circus techniques to playfully develop courage, perseverance, and cooperation.

A place for artistic creation

Ell Circo D'ell Fuego also constitutes a true place of artistic creation.

Young artists can benefit from different levels of support: training spaces, laboratories, technical or creative residencies and programs allowing them to gradually develop a project.

This continuity between amateur school, improvement, preparation for an artistic orientation and professional creation constitutes one of the great particularities of ECDF.

The facility also hosts training courses and intensive workshops dedicated to highly specialized techniques. In 2026, its professional program includes, for example, projects involving hair suspension, parkour, and various forms of circus arts research.

Much more than a leisure school

Ell Circo D'ell Fuego is therefore much more than just a leisure school. It is a true circus ecosystem where children, teenagers, adults, experienced amateurs, young artists and professionals can meet.

With the diversity of its courses, its specialized disciplines, its progression pathways, its social work, its internships and its artistic support, ECDF is today a major player in the learning and development of circus arts in Antwerp and more broadly in Flanders.