Matizi Circus (Magical Time asbl)

Matizi Circus is a family-run circus school located in Lens, in the province of Hainaut, Belgium. It is the circus arts division of the non-profit organization Magical Time, an association specializing in educational and active activities.

The story of the project begins in 2005 with the creation of Magical Time by David Bouhon, a teacher by training who wanted to combine his two passions: the circus and animation.

The first activities were developed in the Liège region before the association moved to Lens. In September 2009, the Lens circus school was officially established and welcomed several dozen children in its first season.

Over the years, the activity has grown enough for the association to acquire its own building. Matizi Circus now benefits from a dedicated space for its classes, workshops, training sessions and other activities.

The practice begins in early childhood with circus-based activities. This approach uses games, movement, and basic circus techniques to promote motor development, coordination, and body awareness.

From the age of 6, children can gradually discover the different families of circus techniques. The school develops a multidisciplinary approach allowing participants to experiment with several disciplines before developing their preferences.

Juggling naturally occupies an important place in learning. Manipulating different objects allows one to work on coordination , precision , concentration , perseverance and creativity .

Balances constitute another major category of practices offered by Matizi Circus. They allow students to progressively develop stability , body control and confidence .

Unicycling is one of the disciplines taught by the school and can also be used in the company's shows.

Acrobatics is also integrated into the activities. It allows students to work on body control, coordination, and the different possibilities of movement.

Matizi Circus also offers genuine instruction in aerial disciplines. Trapeze and silks are among the activities offered during introductory aerial workshops.

The company also uses the aerial hoop in its shows, alongside the trapeze, acrobatics, juggling and unicycle.

Matizi Circus's offerings are not strictly limited to traditional circus techniques. The association also develops complementary activities around dance, theatre, gymnastics and other artistic and sporting practices.

This diversity allows movement, stage presence and expression to be worked on from different angles and contributes to enriching the artistic journey of practitioners.

The teaching methods advocated by the school go beyond the acquisition of technical skills. Matizi Circus particularly emphasizes self-confidence , mutual support , respect , and pushing oneself to the limit.

The circus thus becomes a tool allowing the child to discover their abilities, to persevere in the face of difficulty and to learn to evolve with others.

The school also organizes workshops during school holidays. Their program may combine circus arts with other activities such as cooking, sports, games or various creative workshops.

Matizi Circus works regularly with schools. Classes can be welcomed to its "La Piste" venue for half-day or full-day activities.

Students can then discover different circus techniques through one-hour workshops led by an instructor. Circus skills activities are offered from age 3, and circus technique initiation from age 6.

These projects aim in particular to develop cooperation , motor skills , dexterity , creativity , group cohesion , agility , boldness and self-improvement .

The team can also travel directly to schools to support educational projects dedicated to the circus or to organize introductory workshops.

Matizi Circus also offers entertainment at public events, school festivals, community events, and private functions. Dedicated introductory areas allow children and adults to freely explore various circus techniques.

The school also has its own performing arts company. It trains its own artists and performs at festivals, public events and private performances.

The shows may combine juggling, acrobatics, balancing acts, unicycling, trapeze, and aerial hoop. Roaming performances with stilt walkers, jugglers, or unicyclists may also be offered.

This company activity creates an interesting continuity between amateur learning and stage experience. Some young practitioners can gradually move from training to creation and then to performance in front of a real audience.

Matizi Circus is a member of Fédécirque and Magical Time is also registered with the Office of Birth and Childhood.

With its background ranging from circus motor skills to technical and aerial disciplines, its internships, its school interventions and its own performance company, Matizi Circus is today a particularly active circus school in the Lens region and more broadly in Hainaut.