Vanajaveden Opisto – Sirkus

Vanajaveden Opisto – Circus school in Hämeenlinna, Finland

Located in Hämeenlinna, Finland, Vanajaveden Opisto is an arts and cultural education center offering circus classes for children, teenagers, and adults. Part of the Tavastia educational group, the center provides an accessible, creative, and welcoming environment for discovering circus arts.

The school welcomes participants from the age of six months, with activities adapted to the different stages of their development. Its teaching is based on three essential principles: the joy of movement, artistic expression, and collective learning.

A varied education in circus arts

The courses allow you to discover several disciplines, including ground acrobatics, juggling, balancing and aerial acrobatics.

The youngest children begin with playful exercises that develop their coordination, motor skills, and self-confidence. Older students can gradually delve deeper into techniques and learn to perform sequences.

The school also places great importance on creativity and personal expression. Participants are encouraged to experiment, work together, and discover their own abilities.

Activities for babies and families

Vanajaveden Opisto offers circus awakening sessions for babies from six months old, as well as classes for toddlers of about 1 to 2 years old.

These activities combine physical games, simple movements and balance exercises, in an environment adapted to young children.

The establishment also organizes family circus classes for children aged 3 to 4 and 5 to 6. Each child participates with an adult, who guides them in discovering the movements and different disciplines.

These sessions promote coordination, mutual trust, and the pleasure of doing an activity together.

Circus classes for children

From the age of 4, children can join autonomous groups adapted to their age.

The sessions allow participants to learn the basics of acrobatics, discover juggling, and develop balance and coordination.

The school offers groups for 4-5 year olds and 8-10 year olds, as well as courses accessible to children of varying levels.

The exercises gradually become more technical, while maintaining an encouraging approach adapted to each person's abilities.

A program combining circus, theatre and visual arts

Since autumn 2026, Vanajaveden Opisto has been offering a multidisciplinary program for children aged 6 to 8.

This course combines circus arts, theatre and visual arts around a collective creation project.

Participants discover various circus techniques, including ground acrobatics, juggling, balancing, aerial disciplines and duo acrobatics.

They also imagine a shared story, develop its theatrical interpretation and participate in the creation of the sets with a visual arts teacher.

The project concludes in the spring with a performance allowing the children to showcase their creation.

This original formula encourages imagination, cooperation and the discovery of several forms of artistic expression.

Aerial acrobatics for young people and adults

Vanajaveden Opisto offers specialized aerial acrobatics courses accessible to young people from 10 years old and adults.

Participants can discover different apparatus, including aerial silks, aerial hoop, trapeze and aerial straps or loops.

Beginners learn the basic positions, suspension techniques and the first movements on the apparatus.

More experienced practitioners can deepen their technique, develop their strength and mobility, and build more complex sequences.

The school offers several levels of instruction, from introductory to advanced courses.

Some sessions also allow participants to work more independently, while still benefiting from the presence and guidance of a teacher.

Courses adapted for adults

Adults can discover circus arts, even without prior experience.

The establishment offers, in particular, aerial acrobatics courses for beginners and advanced training groups for those who have already practiced.

The exercises help to develop strength, flexibility, coordination and body control.

The goal is to progress in an encouraging atmosphere, without seeking competition.

The courses also offer the opportunity to discover an original physical activity combining technique and artistic expression.

Shows to highlight progress

Representation occupies an important place in the teaching of Vanajaveden Opisto.

At the end of the autumn semester, the school organizes an open day allowing families to discover the activities carried out during classes.

In the spring, children and teenagers participate in a circus show presenting the skills acquired during the year.

The performances are prepared taking into account the age and abilities of the students.

They allow participants to discover stage work, develop their self-confidence and share their progress with an audience.

The school considers these experiences an important part of the artistic and personal development of young practitioners.

A specialized teaching team

Circus instruction is provided by a team of experienced professionals.

The main teacher is Vuokko Markkanen , a circus artist. She works alongside Jemina Rönkkö , also a circus artist, and Kati Mäkelä , a circus teacher.

The courses are adapted to the different age groups and technical levels of the participants.

Teachers support students in their progress, while paying particular attention to safety, cooperation, and the joy of learning.

Facilities adapted for circus practice

The main classes take place in a room dedicated to circus arts, located at Hattelmalantie 8, in Hämeenlinna .

This space allows for the organization of acrobatics, juggling, balance and aerial discipline sessions.

Activities for babies and toddlers are held in the Pikkolo dance hall, located at Jaakonkatu 28 , also in Hämeenlinna.

The organization of courses generally follows the academic year, with an autumn semester and a spring semester.

Regular programs usually include fourteen weeks of instruction per semester.

A school that prioritizes creativity and the joy of learning

Vanajaveden Opisto stands out for its accessible and multidisciplinary approach to circus arts.

The establishment allows younger children to discover movement with their parents, children to learn fundamental techniques, and teenagers and adults to deepen their practice.

The courses promote coordination, self-confidence, creativity and cooperation.

Combining circus arts with theatre and visual arts also offers students the opportunity to participate in collective artistic projects.

Thanks to the diversity of its programs and its specialized teaching team, Vanajaveden Opisto is a place for discovering and learning circus arts in Hämeenlinna , accessible to both beginners and practitioners wishing to improve their skills.

Main course address: Hattelmalantie 8, 13100 Hämeenlinna, Finland.

Official website: https://www.kktavastia.fi/vanajaveden-opisto/kurssit/sirkus-5/