Slovensko združenje za circusko pedagogiko – Cirkokrog

Cirkokrog – Association of circus pedagogy and social circus in Ljubljana

Cirkokrog is a Slovenian association founded in 2005 in Ljubljana , specializing in teaching circus arts and their use as an educational, social and cultural tool.

Its official name, “ Slovensko združenje za cirkuško pedagogiko – Cirkokrog ”, means “Slovenian Association for Circus Pedagogy”.

Since its creation, it has developed workshops for children, teenagers, young adults and various audiences who have difficulty accessing cultural activities.

The association also organizes training in circus pedagogy, community projects, international exchanges and artistic events.

A pioneering association of Slovenian social circus

The story of Cirkokrog begins with a group of social pedagogy students who discover the methods of youth circus developed in several European countries.

They are interested in the possibility of using circus disciplines to promote participation, creativity and relationships between people.

After several years of experimentation, they officially created the association in 2005 .

The project is based on a conviction: the circus can be a means of learning accessible to people with very different abilities, experiences and backgrounds.

This approach leads Cirkokrog to develop programs that combine artistic practice, non-formal education and social inclusion.

An education accessible to different audiences

Cirkokrog organizes workshops for children, young people and adults.

Activities can be offered in schools, youth centers, gymnasiums, community spaces and support structures.

The association also works with groups facing social difficulties or having fewer opportunities to access leisure activities.

The workshops are tailored to the needs of the participants and the context in which they take place.

The goal is not only to learn technical figures, but also to develop personal and collective skills.

Participants are encouraged to experiment, cooperate, and discover their own skills.

Juggling and object manipulation

Juggling is one of the practices used in Cirkokrog workshops.

Participants discover different techniques for manipulating objects, throwing and catching.

These exercises help to develop coordination, concentration, patience and perseverance.

They also offer the opportunity to progress individually while participating in group activities.

The manipulation of props provides a particularly suitable entry point for circus pedagogy.

It allows everyone to experiment at their own pace and to gradually see their progress.

Juggling can then be associated with games, movements and creative sequences.

Acrobatics and group exercises

Cirkokrog also uses floor acrobatics and group exercises.

These practices can include balancing acts, figures performed by several people, and human pyramids.

They require coordination, trust and communication between participants.

Working together requires learning to take into account the abilities of others and to respect common guidelines.

In this approach, the success of a move depends as much on cooperation as on individual skills.

Acrobatics thus become a tool for developing mutual support, responsibility and a sense of belonging to a group.

A pedagogy based on collective learning

Cirkokrog's method is based on the principles of circus pedagogy.

Activities are organized in a way that encourages experimentation and active participation.

Participants learn to identify their abilities, accept difficulties, and seek different solutions.

The association places great importance on cooperation, personal expression and respect for differences.

The exercises also help to develop self-confidence and the ability to take initiative.

The circus is thus used as a support for overall learning, combining movement, creativity and social relationships.

Cirkuški roj: developing a community through the circus

The " Cirkuški roj " program is one of Cirkokrog's main projects.

It aims to create spaces for meeting and participation around circus arts.

The activities encourage young people to come together, learn together and develop collective projects.

The program combines workshops, community events, and artistic creations.

It places particular emphasis on the autonomy of the participants and their ability to contribute to the life of the group.

The activities are open to people with different levels of experience.

The goal is to enable everyone to find their place in a community based on sharing and artistic practice.

In 2026 , Cirkuški roj takes place in particular at the Polje library and in the spaces of ŠD Tabor, in Ljubljana.

Cirkuška pa MAL pa DOST: a regular program for young people

“ Cirkuška pa MAL pa DOST ” is another important program of the association.

It draws on the methods of non-formal education and youth work.

Participants discover circus techniques through group workshops, games and physical exercises.

The program pays particular attention to creativity, communication, and personal development.

The activities also allow for addressing trust, emotional management, and relationships between participants.

Cirkokrog seeks to create an environment in which young people can experiment freely while benefiting from educational support.

In 2026 , the program is announced from January 7 to December 23 , in the gymnasium of the Faculty of Pedagogy in Ljubljana.

This program confirms the continuity of the teaching offered by the association.

Working with vulnerable populations

Social inclusion is one of Cirkokrog's main missions.

The association works with young people who are experiencing social, economic or educational difficulties.

It also develops activities in specialized establishments, centers hosting refugees and youth support structures.

The circus provides a collective activity in which participants can discover their abilities and develop new relationships.

The exercises are adapted to each person's abilities.

The goal is to promote participation, trust and a sense of belonging.

This approach makes Cirkokrog a social circus structure, and not simply a traditional leisure school.

Interventions in educational institutions

Cirkokrog works with various partners in the education sector.

The association intervenes particularly in schools, multicultural establishments, youth centers and specialized structures.

The workshops can be adapted to the educational objectives of the institutions.

They allow us to offer an activity combining movement, creativity and cooperation.

Participants discover circus skills while developing abilities useful in other group situations.

The association thus uses the circus as a complementary means of educational support.

Training facilitators in circus pedagogy

Cirkokrog also has a training activity aimed at people wishing to use circus in their professional or associative practice.

The training courses are aimed in particular at facilitators, youth workers, students and social workers.

They allow you to discover the principles of circus pedagogy and the possibilities of adapting exercises to different audiences.

Participants can learn how to organize workshops, how to lead a group, and how to use circus disciplines as tools for cooperation.

The association has notably developed training courses dedicated to the basics of circus pedagogy.

This activity helps to spread the methods of social circus beyond its own workshops.

This is non-formal training, not a degree program for circus artists.

An educational experience developed since 2005

Since its creation, Cirkokrog has developed numerous projects in Slovenia.

The association organized regular workshops, camps, international exchanges and street activities.

She has also worked in youth homes, shelters, and schools.

These experiences have made it possible to adapt circus methods to varied environments.

The association favours a pedagogy in which participants are active participants in their learning.

This approach is based on experimentation, cooperation and the development of individual capabilities.

Community circus in the neighborhoods

Cirkokrog also develops projects that use circus arts to strengthen ties between residents.

Workshops and community events allow participants to meet in a creative setting.

They can combine technical learning, group games, improvisation and public presentations.

The association seeks to encourage the participation of people from diverse backgrounds.

The activities are particularly suited to local spaces, such as community centers, libraries and neighborhood facilities.

The circus then becomes a way to create encounters and promote local engagement.

The PS CIRKUS international project

Cirkokrog is also participating in the “ PS CIRKUS – Travelling Community Circus ” project.

This cross-border initiative involves Slovenia and Italy .

It is developed with the Italian organization Circo all'inCirca .

The project runs from November 4, 2024 to November 3, 2026 .

Its objective is to strengthen access to cultural and community activities in rural and peri-urban areas.

It plans to organize numerous events, including circus arts pedagogy workshops.

The project also includes the installation of a marquee to host workshops, concerts and performances.

This initiative illustrates Cirkokrog's commitment to developing an accessible circus outside of major urban centers.

European and international exchanges

Cirkokrog participates in international cooperation projects.

The association organizes youth exchanges, training courses and meetings with foreign organizations.

These projects allow us to share different teaching methods and discover other approaches to social circus.

Since 2018 , Cirkokrog has been a member of the international Caravan network, dedicated to youth circus and social circus.

This network brings together organizations that use circus arts to promote education, inclusion, and participation.

Belonging to Caravan allows Cirkokrog to develop its collaborations and participate in joint initiatives.

Educational institutions in Ljubljana

Cirkokrog's headquarters is located at Kardeljeva ploščad 16 , Ljubljana.

This address also corresponds to the Faculty of Pedagogy, whose gymnasium hosts activities of the association.

In 2026 , the Cirkuška pa MAL pa DOST program takes place there regularly.

Other activities are organised in different spaces around the city, including at the Polje library and ŠD Tabor.

The association also operates in other Slovenian localities.

Therefore, it does not function solely as a school housed in a separate studio apartment.

Its teaching is based on several partner locations, depending on the programs and the target audiences.

Activity confirmed throughout 2026

The City of Ljubljana presents two active Cirkokrog programs for 2026 .

Cirkuški roj is scheduled from January 1st to December 31st, 2026 .

Cirkuška pa MAL pa DOST takes place from January 7 to December 23, 2026 .

These projects include regular workshops, group activities, and community events.

They show that the association is pursuing a real educational activity, and not just occasional performances.

The international PS CIRKUS project also complements this programming until November 2026.

These elements confirm Cirkokrog's activity during the year 2026.

A reference structure for social circus

Cirkokrog occupies an important place in the development of circus pedagogy in Slovenia.

Since 2005 , she has used circus arts as a means of learning, expression and inclusion.

Its programs are aimed at children, young people and adults, but also at professionals in animation and support.

The association combines regular workshops, teacher training, community projects and international cooperation.

It can be classified as a structure for teaching amateur and social circus.

Its distinctive feature lies in its educational and inclusive approach, rather than in preparing for a professional career as a circus artist.

No professional circus artist diploma issued by Cirkokrog has been identified.