Linnanmäen Sirkuskoulu

Linnanmäen Sirkuskoulu – Circus school in Helsinki, Finland

Founded in Helsinki in 1981, Linnanmäen Sirkuskoulu is one of Finland's historic circus schools. Born in the famous Linnanmäki amusement park, it has played a significant role in the development and transmission of circus arts in the country. Today, it welcomes around 500 students and relies on a team of more than ten professional teachers specializing in various circus disciplines.

The school offers accessible training for children and teenagers, from introductory circus arts to more advanced practice. Its approach combines technical learning, creativity, stage presence, and personal development. The school aims to allow everyone to progress at their own pace, regardless of their initial skills or experience.

A historic Finnish circus school

The history of Linnanmäen Sirkuskoulu is closely linked to that of the Linnanmäki amusement park, which opened in 1950 in Helsinki. From the park's earliest years, introductory activities to circus techniques were offered to children.

The circus school itself began its activities on January 29, 1981. It has gradually developed into a recognized institution in the Finnish artistic landscape.

Among the personalities associated with its history are the magician Solmu Mäkelä and the circus historian Markku Aulanko , who participated in the creation of its associative structure.

After operating for its first decades in connection with the amusement park, the school continued its development under the responsibility of an independent association.

In 2009 , it moved to the premises of the Rudolf Steiner school in the Ruskeasuo district. This change allowed it to expand its program and have spaces better suited to training.

Since 2022 , Linnanmäen Sirkuskoulu has also been offering activities in the Tapanila district, northeast of Helsinki.

In 2026 , the school celebrates its 45th year of existence , testifying to its lasting contribution to circus education in Finland.

A varied education in circus arts

Linnanmäen Sirkuskoulu offers a multidisciplinary introduction to circus arts. Students can explore different techniques before delving deeper into those that best suit their interests and abilities.

The main subjects taught include:

• Juggling , including learning to throw, catch, coordinate and manipulate objects.
• Floor acrobatics , allowing the development of flexibility, strength, agility and body control.
• Aerial disciplines , including the trapeze and various acrobatic exercises in suspension.
• Balances , including tightrope walking, stability exercises and body control techniques.
• The unicycle , which develops dynamic balance, coordination and concentration.
• Magic , a discipline particularly linked to the history of the school, combining dexterity, presentation and illusion.
• The trampoline , used to explore acrobatic movements and aerial sensations.
• Collective acrobatics , promoting cooperation, trust and working with partners.

The teaching is not limited to the acquisition of technical figures. Students also learn to combine different movements, to build sequences and to develop their own artistic expression.

A teaching method adapted to each student

Linnanmäen Sirkuskoulu functions primarily as an arts and leisure school, with teaching organized in groups.

Each group benefits from an educational program tailored to its level and objectives. Teachers take into account individual motivations and abilities to ensure encouraging progress.

The school places particular importance on collective learning. Group exercises promote communication, mutual support, and trust among participants.

Students are encouraged to discover their strengths, gradually overcome difficulties, and develop a better understanding of their bodies.

Circus practice also helps to develop concentration, perseverance and creativity.

The institution advocates a caring and inclusive approach, in which participation and the pleasure of practicing are as important as technical performance.

The circus as a means of artistic expression

One of the characteristics of Linnanmäen Sirkuskoulu is its attention to the artistic dimension of the circus.

The school views circus disciplines as means of expression, and not solely as physical activities.

Students gradually discover the relationship between movement, rhythm, space, and presentation in front of an audience.

They learn to use their skills to tell a story, create an atmosphere, or convey an emotion.

This approach encourages imagination and allows young practitioners to develop their artistic personality.

The school also aims to impart a broader understanding of live performance culture. Students may therefore have the opportunity to attend professional performances and discover different forms of circus.

A renowned entertainment group

Linnanmäen Sirkuskoulu has a performance group made up of experienced students.

This group participates in shows, festivals and cultural events in Finland and abroad.

Young artists can present individual or group acts combining acrobatics, juggling, balancing, magic and stage expression.

The work of representation allows one to discover the requirements of an artistic production: preparation of acts, rehearsals, coordination between artists and adaptation to different audiences.

Throughout its history, the school has performed at numerous events, from Lapland to Helsinki, but also in several European countries, including Iceland and Germany .

Its artists have also participated in television programs and institutional or private events.

The performance group provides an opportunity for further development for particularly motivated students, while also contributing to the school's reputation.

Circus workshops during the holidays

In addition to regular classes, Linnanmäen Sirkuskoulu organizes workshops during school holidays.

These courses allow children and teenagers to discover several disciplines in an intensive and friendly environment.

The day camps welcome young people aged 7 to 15 in particular at the Ruskeasuo and Tapanila facilities.

The program may include ground acrobatics, trampoline, juggling, balancing, and aerial disciplines.

Participants alternate between technical learning, group activities and moments of relaxation.

During some of the workshops, the children also prepare a short show which they present at the end of the week.

These performances allow us to showcase the progress made and discover the pleasure of sharing our skills with an audience.

The school also offers shorter courses and thematic workshops, adapted to different ages and levels.

Activities for families and young children

Linnanmäen Sirkuskoulu also develops activities allowing young children to discover circus arts with an adult.

Family sessions are based on play, movement, and cooperation.

Participants can discover simple duo acrobatics exercises, balance games and various circus accessories.

The goal is to share an artistic and physical experience in an environment suitable for younger children.

In 2026, the school is participating in the Finnish cultural program Kulttuurin kummilapset , which allows children and their chaperones to discover different artistic activities.

These sessions illustrate the institution's desire to make the circus accessible from a very young age.

Workshops and activities for events

The school also offers services for communities, associations, educational institutions and event organizers.

It is possible to bring in artists for shows or to offer introductory workshops in circus arts.

The performances can take different forms: technical demonstrations, circus characters strolling among the public, participatory activities or stage shows.

These interventions allow people who do not usually attend school to discover circus arts.

They also help to enhance the skills of young artists and develop their performance experience.

Two main educational institutions in Helsinki

Linnanmäen Sirkuskoulu has two main training sites.

The first is located in Ruskeasuo, Paraistentie 3, 00280 Helsinki , in the premises of the Rudolf Steiner school. The establishment has spaces there equipped for teaching circus disciplines.

The second is located in Tapanila, Hiidenkiventie 21 / Erätie 3, 00730 Helsinki . It hosts regular classes, workshops and various acrobatic activities.

The facilities at Tapanila are accessible to people with reduced mobility. However, a room located on the lower level of the Ruskeasuo site requires descending several steps.

The presence of these two sites allows the school to offer its activities in different neighborhoods of Helsinki.

A school committed to accessibility

Linnanmäen Sirkuskoulu seeks to make circus arts accessible to as many people as possible.

The establishment places particular importance on maintaining affordable rates, so that financial constraints do not systematically constitute an obstacle to practice.

This commitment is accompanied by quality teaching, provided by experienced professionals.

Regularly enrolled students benefit from continuity of their place in the school, and insurance is provided as part of the activities.

The establishment also encourages the discovery of professional circus by facilitating, when possible, access to shows at reduced prices.

Its operation is based on values of respect, equality, solidarity and consideration of individual needs.

The school's activities are supported by the city of Helsinki.

A springboard for future artists

Although Linnanmäen Sirkuskoulu is primarily a school for amateur practice, it has played an important role in the careers of many Finnish artists.

Some former students continued their training in vocational institutions before joining international companies and productions.

Several former students have notably worked in Cirque du Soleil shows.

The school has also welcomed into its ranks personalities who have become well-known in other fields, including Formula 1 driver Mika Häkkinen and illusionist Iiro Seppänen .

These paths illustrate the diversity of possibilities offered by an early introduction to circus arts.

A leading institution in Finnish circus arts education

With over four decades of experience, Linnanmäen Sirkuskoulu occupies an important place in the history of the Finnish circus.

The school has evolved from its first activities organized in the Linnanmäki amusement park to become an independent structure offering multidisciplinary teaching.

Today it combines regular classes, internships, workshops, artistic creations and public performances.

His teaching method is based on individual progress, cooperation, artistic expression and the pleasure of discovering new skills.

For children and teenagers in Helsinki, it is a privileged place to learn juggling, acrobatics, aerial disciplines, balancing and magic.

Thanks to its history, the quality of its teaching and its performance activities, Linnanmäen Sirkuskoulu remains a reference for amateur circus arts education in Finland .