Kinder- und Jugendzirkus Maroni eV

Kinder- und Jugendzirkus Maroni eV is a non-profit circus for children and teenagers based in Bad Boll , Baden-Württemberg. Founded in 1989 , it has for several decades been a true artistic, educational and collective project bringing together young artists, coaches, former participants and parents around the practice of circus arts.

Approximately 40 children and teenagers from Bad Boll and the surrounding communities regularly participate in circus activities. The project is organized into several groups, allowing young people to gradually discover circus disciplines and then develop a more in-depth practice.

The Maronellis

The Maronellis are a group for young, aspiring artists. It welcomes around twenty children aged approximately 10 to 12 , with the possibility of enrollment starting the year a child turns 9. They meet weekly to practice circus arts in an atmosphere that emphasizes play, discovery, and fun.

The Maronellis children discover, among other things, juggling with scarves and balls, poi, tightrope walking, balance ball walking, unicycling, jump rope, and trampolining. Once a year, they present a short performance to the public as part of the Kinder- und Jugendzirkus Maroni (Maroni Children's and Youth Circle) shows.

The Maroni

The Maronis are the main group in the circus. It brings together children and teenagers aged approximately 12 to 18 years old who train every week under the direction of experienced coaches and young coaches from the circus.

The diversity of disciplines offered is particularly important. Young people can practice juggling, acrobatics, unicycling, tightrope walking, dance, trapeze, aerial silks, trampoline, clowning, magic, jump rope, and various other circus techniques. Fire acts are also part of the group's repertoire.

Becoming a young coach

From the age of 15 , young artists can train to become junior coaches themselves. Once trained, they actively participate in leading the various disciplines, creating new acts, and performing in shows. This intergenerational transmission allows former participants to remain involved in the project and gradually gives more responsibility to the teenagers.

An inclusive approach

The Kinder- und Jugendzirkus Maroni has championed an inclusive approach since its inception. Children and teenagers with special needs participate in activities alongside other young artists. In performances, different ages, levels, and abilities are not separated; on the contrary, they are brought together within the same artistic creations.

Circus pedagogy

Circus pedagogy, therefore, does not primarily seek performance or competition. The objective is to allow each participant to discover their own abilities, to gain self-confidence, to gradually become more autonomous and responsible, and to learn to persevere in order to achieve the goals they have set for themselves.

The collective aspect is just as important. Children learn that more experienced players need beginners and vice versa. Training sessions and performances help develop cooperation, solidarity, listening skills, and respect for each other's abilities.

The performances

The performances are the culmination of this work. Every two years, the Maronis create a new major program presented in their own big top. The show is usually reprised the following year in a theater or other cultural venue. Between these large productions, the circus also performs numerous smaller shows at festivals, community events, and local gatherings.

Travel and encounters are also part of Maroni's story. Since its creation, the group has participated in numerous circus shows and tours both in Germany and abroad. Group trips and periods of intensive training complement the weekly rehearsals.

A family circus

Another distinctive feature of the Kinder- und Jugendzirkus Maroni is the significant involvement of families. Parents become members of the association and actively participate in the running of the circus: making costumes and sets, props, makeup, lighting, music, catering, and organizing and setting up the big top. When possible, the performances are also accompanied by the circus's own musical ensemble.

Maroni thus functions as a true " family circus " in which children, teenagers, and adults each contribute in their own way to a shared creation. This organization makes the circus not only a place of artistic learning, but also a space for intergenerational encounters and cooperation.

After more than thirty-five years of existence , the Kinder- und Jugendzirkus Maroni is deeply integrated into the cultural life of Bad Boll. It combines regular practice of circus arts, inclusion, transmission between young people, creation of shows, trips and family involvement in a project where fun , creativity and community occupy a central place.