Witova Trainingcentre – Hallum

Witova Trainingcentre is a circus arts training centre located in Hallum , in the province of Friesland , in the north of the Netherlands . Founded in 2009 , it offers regular courses, artistic activities and specialized programmes aimed particularly at children and teenagers with disabilities .

Origins: Circus Witova

The center traces its origins to Circus Witova , created in 1988 by Dini van der Meer and Harm Witteveen .

For more than twenty years , the founders toured the Netherlands with their circus, organizing performances in different cities and towns.

They have also developed educational projects in schools, allowing many children to discover circus disciplines and participate in shows.

These experiences gradually gave rise to the idea of creating a permanent place dedicated to teaching circus arts.

The project was motivated in particular by the desire to support children experiencing difficulties in their personal development or social integration .

Opened in 2009 in Hallum

In 2009 , Witova Trainingcentre opened its doors in Hallum .

The center is housed in a renovated building near the founders' family farm.

Since its opening, Witova has developed an approach combining technical learning , artistic expression and individual support .

The institution views circus arts as a particularly interesting way to develop physical abilities , self-confidence and relationships with others .

The activities are aimed at different audiences , with regular courses and programs tailored to the needs of the participants.

Regular classes

Witova offers, among other things, weekly circus classes organized according to several levels.

• Beginners can discover the fundamental techniques of circus arts in a supervised environment.
• Students with prior experience can join the intermediate or advanced groups.

This organization allows participants to progress gradually and develop their skills at their own pace .

The Circus Plus program

A complementary program, called Circus Plus , occupies a particularly important place in the identity of the center.

It is intended for children and adolescents with developmental disorders or intellectual disabilities .

When the conditions allow, the program can also be aimed at children with physical disabilities .

The goal is to offer an artistic and physical activity adapted to everyone's abilities.

The sessions are organized around an individualized approach.

Teachers seek to identify the participants' abilities and offer them exercises that match their level.

The circus thus allows one to discover new possibilities, to take on challenges and to gradually develop self-confidence .

Comprehensive support

The support is not based solely on technical success .

It also seeks to promote autonomy , personal expression , and social relationships .

Group activities play an important role in this approach.

• Participants learn to cooperate , communicate and work together .
• Exercises requiring collaboration between several people help to develop mutual trust .

The teaching staff encourages students to respect each other's abilities and to participate in the success of the group.

The teaching staff

The sessions are led by facilitators with experience working with the target audiences.

The team includes professionals from teaching , sports coaching , socio-educational support and creative therapies .

This diversity of skills allows us to offer support that takes into account the individual needs of the participants.

The Circus Plus program is aimed particularly at young people aged 6 to 12 and 12 to 18 .

It allows children and teenagers to engage in artistic activities in an environment adapted to their abilities.

The shows, a key moment

The sessions combine discovery , training and preparation of presentations .

At the end of a cycle, participants can present their achievements to their families and loved ones.

These shows represent an important moment in the students' educational journey.

Each participant can showcase the skills they have developed, at their own level .

Performance thus becomes a rewarding experience that helps to strengthen self-confidence .

The children discover the joy of being applauded and sharing their achievements with an audience.

This artistic dimension constitutes one of the foundations of Witova's educational project .

The center believes that preparing a show can contribute to the personal development of the participants.

• Students learn to persevere , to cooperate , and to gradually gain confidence in their abilities.
• Working together also promotes meetings and exchanges between participants.

Activities for a wider audience

Witova Trainingcentre is also developing circus activities aimed at a wider audience .

Regular classes allow children and teenagers to discover circus arts and progress in different techniques.

The program is organized into beginner , intermediate , and advanced groups.

This distribution allows the exercises to be adapted to the students' experience.

Participants can thus discover circus disciplines before gradually deepening their practice.

Internships and events during the holidays

In addition to weekly classes, the center organizes workshops and events during school holidays.

These activities allow young people to discover the circus in a setting different from the usual sessions.

In July 2026 , Witova notably offered a three-day workshop combining circus and dance .

Aimed at young people aged 9 to 15 , this program included two days of workshops followed by a day dedicated to the presentation of a show.

Participants were accompanied by experienced teachers and were able to prepare their own acts.

This formula allows us to discover different dimensions of artistic creation .

The young people experiment with techniques, imagine a performance and participate in its presentation in front of an audience.

Dance activities

Witova also offers dance activities.

These courses complement circus disciplines and allow participants to develop their coordination , sense of rhythm and body expression .

The center notably hosts hip-hop groups for different age groups.

This diversity helps to make Witova a place for artistic and physical practice open to multiple audiences.

Workshops in schools and for groups

The institution also organizes circus workshops in schools .

These interventions allow children to discover circus arts within the framework of educational projects.

Activities can be organized over one session or over several meetings .

They help to develop cooperation , coordination and creativity .

The center also offers workshops for groups and organizations .

These interventions can be organized on its premises or directly at the location of an event.

Witova has extensive experience in organizing shows and entertainment.

• Numbers .
• Discovery workshops .
• Projects combining several forms of intervention .

This activity is part of the ongoing work of the traveling Circus Witova .

The centre thus maintains a link between regular teaching and artistic representation .

A social and inclusive commitment

Witova also participates in initiatives aimed at promoting access to activities for families facing financial difficulties .

The project places particular emphasis on children who may encounter obstacles in their personal development or their participation in community life .

The circus is used as a way to showcase everyone's abilities .

The exercises are adapted to allow participants to discover their potential and progress at their own pace .

This approach helps to strengthen self-esteem and the feeling of belonging to a group .

A human and individualized approach

The centre's operation is based on a human and individualized approach.

Teachers seek to create an encouraging environment in which participants can experiment without being constantly compared to others .

Personal success plays an important role.

A simple exercise for some can represent a real step for others.

Witova thus values individual progress and encourages each participant to develop their own skills.

Preparing the shows helps to make this progress visible.

The students discover that they can participate in a collective creation and present their work to an audience.

The center also helps to raise awareness of the possibilities offered by circus arts in supporting people with disabilities .

His approach combines physical activity , creativity , cooperation and personal development .

This specialization is one of the most important characteristics of Witova Trainingcentre .

A unique positioning

The institution does not offer any professional qualification training for future circus artists.

Its main objective is to make circus arts accessible to different audiences and to promote the development of participants.

With its weekly classes , adapted circus programs and artistic activities , Witova Trainingcentre occupies a special place in the landscape of Dutch circus schools.

The center combines the experience of traditional circus with an educational and social approach.

It allows children and teenagers to discover circus arts, develop their skills and participate in shows.

His commitment to people with disabilities is an essential dimension of his identity.