Sirkuskoulu Bravuuri

Founded in 1994 in Kuusankoski, in southeastern Finland, Sirkuskoulu Bravuuri is a school dedicated to teaching and performing circus arts. It welcomes practitioners of different ages, from babies accompanied by their parents to teenagers and adults.

The school distinguishes itself through a progressive teaching approach that allows students to discover the fundamental disciplines of circus arts, develop a specialty, and, for the more experienced, participate in shows. It also boasts extensive stage experience, with performances organized in various regions of Finland and abroad.

A school founded by Konsta Nakov in 1994

The story of Bravuuri begins in 1994 , when Konsta Nakov founded a performing arts school in Kuusankoski.

In its early days, the institution was not limited to the circus. It also offered instruction in ballet, puppet theatre and music.

At the turn of the millennium, the school gradually specialized in circus arts and became a true circus school.

In 2016 , Konsta Nakov retired and handed over the management to his daughter, Maria "Maru" Hyytiäinen .

This new stage is accompanied by the development of activities for very young children, including the introduction of circus for babies and parent-child groups.

In 2017 , a support association was created to support the activities of the establishment.

The school will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2024 , an important milestone in its history.

A teaching method combining circus arts and artistic education

Bravuuri considers the circus to be both a physical and artistic activity.

The classes help to develop coordination, mobility, concentration, balance and body control.

Learning is based on a progression adapted to each student's abilities. Beginners discover several disciplines, while more experienced students can delve deeper into the techniques that interest them.

The school also places great importance on the enjoyment of practice and artistic expression.

Technical exercises gradually become elements of creation, used to build individual or group acts.

Circus for babies from 4 months old

One of the special features of Sirkuskoulu Bravuuri is its circus program for babies, called Vauvasirkus .

These sessions are for children aged 4 to 12 months accompanied by an adult. The child must already be able to hold their head up independently.

The activity is based on gentle and playful exercises designed to support motor development.

The parents perform small acrobatic movements with their baby and introduce them to different sensations using circus accessories.

The exercises stimulate balance, movement perception, and body awareness.

The sessions last 45 minutes and are organized in six-week cycles.

The group can accommodate up to twelve babies .

Parent-child classes for children aged 1 to 5

Bravuuri offers several family circus groups, divided according to the age of the children.

• Taaperosirkus welcomes children from 1 year old .
• Naperosirkus is aimed at children aged 2 years and older .
• Sirkusviikarit concerns children aged 3 years .
• Lystisirkus is aimed at children aged 4 to 5 years .

The sessions combine motor games, obstacle courses and acrobatic exercises done with a parent.

Children gradually discover somersaults, basic balances, and movements requiring better coordination.

As they grow up, the exercises become more varied and allow them to acquire the basics necessary for independent circus practice.

Not all age groups are necessarily open every semester: their availability depends on the school calendar.

An introduction to circus arts

The beginner groups allow participants to discover the different circus disciplines.

Floor acrobatics forms the basis of the teaching. Students learn fundamental movements, develop their strength and improve their body control.

Each session also allows participants to discover other activities, including juggling, balancing, and aerial disciplines.

Students can try rola-bola, balance balls and unicycle.

Aerial apparatus is also covered as part of the initiation.

The teaching retains an important playful dimension, with exercises adapted to the level of the participants.

Beginner groups usually train once a week .

Intermediate groups to further develop techniques

After acquiring the basics of ground acrobatics, students can join advanced groups called Sirkustaiturit .

Teaching then becomes more technical and more specialized.

Participants train twice a week and devote more time to the disciplines they wish to explore in greater depth.

They can also start working on duo acrobatics, lifts, and human pyramids.

Collective work takes on a more important role, particularly through the preparation of short acts.

This step allows one to move from a general discovery of the circus to a more regular and demanding practice.

Specialization and the creation of numbers

Students who have reached an intermediate level can continue their progression in groups dedicated to preparing acts.

Acrobatics becomes more demanding and practitioners must possess good body control.

The teaching encourages students to focus on one or two main disciplines in order to develop more advanced skills.

The sessions also include artistic creation work.

Students learn to organize figures, to build a sequence and to prepare a presentation in front of an audience.

The groups concerned train in particular twice a week during sessions of about an hour and a half .

A high-level representative group

Bravuuri has an advanced group dedicated to the creation and performance of shows.

Students deepen their specialization and develop individual or group acts.

Access depends primarily on technical skill level and the ability to work independently, rather than a specific age.

Group sessions generally last two to three hours , twice a week.

The artists also continue their personal training outside of these sessions.

This system allows for the preparation of technically demanding and carefully constructed acts for the stage.

Circus classes for adults

Bravuuri also offers internships for teenagers over 15 years old and adults.

These sessions allow participants to discover juggling, unicycling, acrobatics, tightrope walking, and aerial disciplines.

The content is tailored to the wishes and interests of the participants.

No prior experience is necessary.

The sessions may also include mobility, flexibility and physical conditioning exercises.

Adult courses are organized in cycles of six lessons , with a group limited to thirteen participants .

A school that has a genuine performing arts program

Sirkuskoulu Bravuuri is not limited to teaching.

The establishment offers acts and shows for public and private events.

His artists have notably performed at the Grand Circus of Saint Petersburg , on board Viking Line ships and at the Tykkimäki amusement park.

Bravuuri also presented shows under their own big top while touring throughout Finland.

The performances can be adapted to different audiences, from family events to events aimed at adults.

The school develops tailor-made programs based on the location, desired duration and characteristics of the event.

Light shows and fire acts

Bravuuri also offers light show services.

These creations use visual effects and light-up accessories to build acts tailored to events.

The school also presents fire arts among its artistic offerings.

These activities are part of its entertainment offering and should not be confused with the weekly classes for beginners.

They illustrate the diversity of circus forms offered by the organization.

Circus discovery workshops

Bravuuri offers workshops allowing different audiences to discover circus arts.

These activities can be organised as part of events, group meetings or special events.

Participants discover the disciplines through exercises adapted to their experience and abilities.

Circus arts also provide an interesting medium for developing cooperation, coordination and trust.

Birthday parties on school premises

The establishment organizes birthday parties around circus arts.

Children can participate in a fun and physical activity at Bravuuri's premises, with exercises and games inspired by the circus world.

This formula allows you to discover the school's facilities and share an original experience with a group of friends.

Reservations are made directly with the establishment.

A school recognized for its cultural activities

In 2021 , Sirkus Bravuuri received the cultural prize from the city of Kouvola .

This distinction recognizes his artistic career and his contribution to the dissemination of circus arts.

The city particularly emphasizes the importance of its education for young people and the quality of the shows presented over the years.

This recognition testifies to the place occupied by Bravuuri in the cultural life of Kuusankoski and Kouvola.

A historic circus school in Kuusankoski

Since its creation in 1994, Bravuuri has developed a program to support practitioners at different stages of their journey.

Toddlers discover the circus with their parents, children learn basic techniques, and more experienced students can specialize in a discipline.

Advanced groups allow students to develop acts and participate in performances.

The establishment also maintains a performance activity which allows it to disseminate circus arts beyond its premises.

Sirkuskoulu Bravuuri thus constitutes a complete circus school in Kuusankoski, combining artistic awakening, technical teaching, creation of shows and transmission of a circus tradition developed for more than thirty years.