Zirkomania – Leipzig Circus School

Zirkomania eV is a circus association based in Leipzig, in the Connewitz district. Its project is based on the transmission of circus arts, collective practice, artistic creation and the use of the circus as a tool for personal and social development.

The association advocates an open and accessible approach to circus arts. It aims to create a meeting space where children, teenagers, adults, artists, and enthusiasts can learn together, share knowledge, and develop their creativity.

Educational programming for all ages

Zirkomania offers regular educational programming aimed at different audiences.

The youngest children can discover the circus from the age of three as part of Flohzirkus, a parent-child workshop that combines movement games, discovery of equipment and first circus experiences.

Children aged four to six can then join the Zirkusdrachen, while the Zirkuskids welcome children aged seven to nine.

Other courses allow older children and pre-teens to continue their learning, particularly in groups for seven-to-nine year olds and ten-to-thirteen year olds.

A specific course is also offered to teenagers aged twelve to eighteen who already have experience in the circus or another physical discipline.

A multidisciplinary teaching

The teaching is intentionally multidisciplinary .

• Juggling plays an important role, with learning to use balls, scarves, rings, clubs and various manipulative objects.
• Students also discover several balance techniques: balance ball, rola-bola, tightrope and unicycle.
• Acrobatics is another major focus of the program. It is approached in various forms, including floor acrobatics, duo acrobatics, group figures, and the construction of human pyramids.
• Clowning and expressive games allow this technical learning to be complemented by an artistic and theatrical dimension.

A pedagogy based on cooperation

Zirkomania's teaching method is not solely based on successfully performing the tricks. The association places particular importance on cooperation , the enjoyment of practicing , self-confidence , and the development of individual abilities.

Group exercises allow participants to learn to communicate, to help each other and to gradually take on responsibilities within the group.

Artistic creation is also an important component of the courses. Students can work together to create short acts and choreographic sequences, which are presented to families at the end of certain teaching periods.

Adult practice and group sessions

Adults also have several opportunities to practice. Discovery and advanced modules allow them to explore individual, duo or group acrobatics, juggling and various balance techniques.

Zirkomania also organizes a weekly open training session called CircusJam. This event allows practitioners to meet, exchange knowledge, share techniques, and train in a group setting. Beginners are also welcome to participate, in a spirit of mutual support and knowledge sharing .

The association also offers family circus workshops , allowing parents and children to discover the circus arts together. These sessions combine group games, juggling, acrobatics and balance, with tailored educational support.

The Ferienzirkus and educational projects

During school holidays, Zirkomania organizes its Ferienzirkus, a program of workshops for children. Participants can try out different disciplines: juggling, diabolo, acrobatics, human pyramids, object balancing, and clowning. The workshops also allow them to discover the stage presence of the circus and experiment with new artistic roles.

Zirkomania also develops educational projects with schools and other educational institutions. The association can intervene in various contexts to use circus techniques as a support for motor, artistic, and group learning.

Inclusion and openness

Its community project places great importance on inclusion and voluntary participation , without performance pressure. The goal is to allow everyone to discover their potential, develop their personality, and find their place within a group.

Zirkomania also aims to promote encounters between amateur practice, social projects and professional circus.

With its regular classes, holiday camps, family workshops and group training sessions, the association has now become a true amateur circus school in the south of Leipzig .