Sirocus Circ – Cardedeu

Sirocus Circ is an association and circus school created in 2004 in Cardedeu, in the province of Barcelona.

Since its inception, the project has been developing circus arts through training, artistic practice, creation and social action.

The association uses the circus as an artistic discipline but also as an educational, relational and inclusive tool .

Its activities are aimed at children, teenagers, young people and adults.

The training

Training begins in early childhood with circus-based motor activities.

These initial experiences allow children to discover their bodies and movement through play and various elements from the world of the circus.

Training continues during childhood with recreational circus classes.

Teenagers also have access to groups adapted to their age and level.

Adults can practice different disciplines in a recreational or advanced setting.

The subjects taught

Floor acrobatics is one of the main disciplines taught by Sirocus Circ.

It helps to develop coordination, mobility, strength and body awareness .

Acrobatic balances also occupy an important place in the school's identity.

Working in groups simultaneously develops physical skills, confidence, and cooperation.

Vertical exercises allow for a deeper understanding of body control and balance work on the hands.

Juggling and object manipulation complement this multidisciplinary training.

Aerial disciplines are also among the techniques taught.

Trapeze and aerial silks have notably been integrated into the various programs developed by the association.

The clown complements the technical approach with work devoted to play, expression and relationships with others.

This diversity allows students to discover several families of circus arts before delving deeper into the techniques that best suit their desires and abilities.

A pedagogy that is attentive to differences

Sirocus Circ develops a pedagogy that is attentive to the differences between people.

Progress is not based solely on technical results.

The learning process itself is of central importance.

The workshops aim to respect the rhythms and characteristics of each participant.

This philosophy allows circus disciplines to be used in very different contexts.

The social circus

The social circus is one of the main focuses of the project.

The workshops are designed with an inclusive approach, allowing people with and without disabilities to be welcomed together.

Sirocus Circ also develops activities accessible to people experiencing mental health problems.

Some projects are specifically designed for groups supported by social centers or referred by social services.

The content and pace of learning can be adapted to the needs of the participants.

Groups can be organized according to age and level of autonomy in order to offer suitable educational situations.

Public presentations and creation

The various people participating in the activities then have the opportunity to meet during public presentations .

These meetings help to showcase the work done during the workshops.

Artistic creation then becomes a way to bring together participants from different backgrounds.

The students themselves participate in decisions concerning the creative processes.

This participation allows for the development of autonomy, personal expression and the ability to work collectively .

Public presentations may take place, in particular, during events organized in Cardedeu.

The Sant Isidre festival and the Festa Major provide opportunities to share the work done with the local residents.

This relationship with the territory is important in the functioning of Sirocus Circ.

The association carries out its activities in different areas of Cardedeu and the surrounding area.

She also works with other social, educational and cultural organizations.

This organization allows the circus to reach audiences who would not necessarily attend a specialized school.

Education

Education is another major focus of the project.

Sirocus Circ has been working in schools for many years.

Activities can be organized during school hours or as part of extracurricular activities.

Circus techniques are then used as teaching aids .

The circus program in English

The association has notably developed a circus program in English .

In this context, circus games and disciplines are used to actively practice vocabulary and grammar.

Children can learn a foreign language by using their bodies, manipulating objects, and participating in group games.

This approach makes it possible to link school learning and physical experience.

The program can be adapted for kindergarten and primary school children.

Activities may include games, acrobatics, juggling and various circus techniques.

Trapezoids or fabrics can also be integrated when the facilities allow it.

This ability to combine circus arts with other educational fields illustrates the central place given to education in the project.

School interventions can also pursue objectives related to motor skills , cooperation , or expression .

The circus provides opportunities for students to experiment and find their own solutions.

Learning happens through trial, repetition, and progression.

Successfully performing a movement or manipulation often requires several attempts.

This characteristic helps to develop perseverance .

Group exercises also require listening and cooperation.

Students gradually discover that success can depend on the trust placed in a partner.

This dimension is particularly present in acrobatic balances.

Extensive experience working with diverse audiences

Sirocus Circ has a long history of using circus arts with very different audiences.

The association has worked with children, teenagers, adults and the elderly.

She has also developed projects with people with disabilities.

This diversity has led the team to develop a teaching method capable of adapting to the characteristics of each group.

Commitments and values

The project advocates respect for individuals and their differences .

The association also advocates for equality between women and men .

Promoting women's work in the circus and fighting against gender discrimination are among its commitments.

This social dimension has accompanied the artistic practice since the creation of the project.

Circus and social theatre

Sirocus Circ also participates in initiatives dedicated to reflection on circus and social theatre.

In Cardedeu, the association contributes to the Jornades de Teatre i Circ Social .

These meetings bring together artists, educators, associations and organizations working with different audiences.

Inclusive workshops can be offered to families.

The meetings also address issues related to different abilities, inclusion, and artistic practices as tools for social intervention.

Sirocus Circ collaborates in this context with other actors in the territory.

Networking

Networking is an important component of the project.

Sirocus Circ is a member of the Federación Española de Escuelas de Circo Socio Educativo .

This membership places the association within the Spanish network of structures using circus arts from an educational and social perspective.

The school also participates in the Catalan network for circus training.

These collaborations allow for the exchange of experiences and methods with other organizations.

They also contribute to the development and recognition of circus pedagogy.

A close relationship with the professional sector

The association also has a strong connection with the professional sector.

Its founders were initially trained at the Rogelio Rivel Circus Arts Centre .

They then participated in the artists' collective that trained and worked at the Ateneu Popular 9 Barris .

They also participated in the creation process of the Rogelio Rivel circus school.

This professional and teaching experience contributed to the creation of Sirocus Circ in 2004.

Sònia Ganza Grunvald

Sònia Ganza Grunvald is one of the main managers and trainers associated with the project.

An acrobatic artist and professional circus trainer, she notably studied in Barcelona as well as at the Circus Space in London and at the Annie Fratellini school in Paris.

Her career combines artistic practice, teaching, and work around movement.

An international experience

Sirocus Circ also has international experience.

The association has developed workshops and projects in Spain as well as in several other countries.

This experience fosters an open approach to pedagogy and the different ways of using the circus.

A space for practitioners and professionals

The Cardedeu space also hosts activities intended for practitioners and professionals.

Sirocus Circ is listed as a space for training , practice , rehearsal and creation .

Masterclasses and monographic internships can complement regular activities.

Training courses for professionals can also be organised.

The association thus participates in continuing education and educational exchanges within the circus sector.

A coexistence between different audiences

However, the activity is not solely a path towards professionalization.

A large part of the project remains dedicated to leisure activities, education and social action.

This coexistence between different audiences constitutes one of the characteristics of Sirocus Circ.

• A young child can discover the circus through circus-related activities.
• An older child can pursue multidisciplinary training.
• A teenager can continue their practice and participate in collective creations.
• An adult can join leisure or professional development activities.
• A person with a disability can participate in an inclusive project adapted to their needs.
• People supported by social services can discover the circus as part of a project specifically designed for their group.
• Schools can integrate circus arts into their educational activities.
• Professionals can finally use the space to train, create, or participate in training courses.

This diversity of audiences illustrates the concept championed by Sirocus Circ since its creation.

Circus is considered there as a practice capable of linking physical activity, artistic expression, education and social transformation .

Technical learning remains important, but it is placed at the service of a larger project based on respect for differences , autonomy , creativity and cooperation .

Since 2004, Sirocus Circ has contributed to the development of circus in Cardedeu and Catalonia through an approach in which artistic training, education, inclusion and social action are closely linked.