We are tremendously happy to welcome you to the 4th edition of the Peculiar Families Festival in Split. This edition is a special one as we are hosting the Annual General Meeting of Circostrada, the European Network for contemporary circus and outdoor arts, within the festival. We are honoured by the trust of the network coordination team and its members and we are excited about the challenge of doing it here, on the margins of the circus sector.

This year’s festival edition is organized in the sisterhood and unity of three organizations that have practised alchemy for more than five years together in a working environment that has usually been precarious. Hence, the crisis is nothing new here. It’s a state of the world we have lived in for decades. To adapt, contemporary circus organizations ROOM 100 from Split, Cirkusfera from Belgrade, and Cirkorama from Zagreb share values of bottom-up, peer-to-peer, and interdependent approach to creation, production, and presentation resulting in a specific blend of resilience, improvisation and reliability. Even before the pandemic, working in countries lacking institutional and public support for arts and culture, mutual support and constant interaction of regional actors was a tool for the long-term development of shared infrastructure, fresh generations, artistic criteria, and operating on low resources.

In this edition of the festival, we made an effort to present you a panoramic overview of local and regional contemporary circus production, and beyond that, the community, environment and circumstances in which the contemporary circus arts are created and performed in this region. With 19 performances from 8 countries, and 44 artists, we have put together a programme that offers a proper insight into the Croatian and regional landscape of circus arts with a strong flavour of humour and spice of melodrama. The festival is mostly happening in the tent of the CirkoBalkana gang in Zenta bay. This is the first time ever that Split’s audience can enjoy contemporary circus performances in a tent. The tent, the Youth Centre and the outdoor performances are all located outside of the tourist centre.

By programming away from the epicentre, together with guided walks and critical reflections, we are highlighting the phenomenon of overtouristifaction in which Split and the region are submerged. The impact of the tourist industry on the everyday life of local people inspired us to set a critical ground for reflection on our own practices as a large family of European circus arts. Aside from a great appreciation for all of the collective and individual efforts to make this artistic field visible and innovative, new trends in production emerge that are often far from being sustainable and inclusive, for example, enormous set-ups with an excessive ecological footprint and occasional lack of joyful simplicity in times that need it as we do live in different (financial, technical, and social) realities. This all recreates imbalance, i.e. periphery-centre relations or unrooting the circus from its local and immediate audiences. But instead of insisting on balance, let’s embrace diversity and mutuality. Let’s dance with uncertainty and enjoy being in this together!

—  Antonia Kuzmanić

 Circostrada Annual General Meeting

ORGANISERS CIRCOSTRADA & ARTCENA 

Circostrada is the European Network for contemporary circus and outdoor arts. Created in 2003 with the core mission of furthering the development, empowerment and recognition of these fields at European and international levels, over the years the network has become an important anchoring point for its members and a key interlocutor in the dialogue with cultural policy makers across Europe. 

In a few words, Circostrada is: 

A community of contemporary circus and outdoor arts professionals linked together by common values and aspirations, who advocate for greater recognition and more structured cultural policies. • The voice and reference network of contemporary circus and outdoor arts in Europe. A group of passionate and committed individuals who meet several times a year at the network’s events. 

A network dedicated to its members, engaged in facilitating the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and good practices at European and international levels. • A digital resource platform that provides thematic publications, observation tools and news on contemporary circus and outdoor arts, available to all free of charge in English and French. 

www.circostrada.org 

ARTCENA is the National Centre for Circus, Street Arts and Theatre. Created by the French Ministry of Culture, ARTCENA is a national rallying point that aims to strengthen the foundation and growth of circus, street and theatre arts. Keeping an open attitude and lively outlook, it works closely with sector professionals while also addressing the needs of teachers, students and researchers. It coordinates Circostrada and has a permanent seat on its Steering Committee. ARTCENA works towards its missions in three main areas: sharing of knowledge and resources through a digital platform; supporting professionals via mentoring and training; promoting and strengthening the circus, street arts and theatre fields by carrying out international development projects. 

www.artcena.fr 

Galina the co-founder of Mini Art Foundation will be presenting the foundation and our current and upcoming projects and events.
She will keep you informed with daily facebook stories and posts via our site Mini Art Fest,  here: https://www.facebook.com/miniartfest

GREAT relaxation!
Free yourself from stress and relax well.
Come let’s de-stress together,
restore mind and body, and relax with powerful relaxation techniques.

Having a rough week? Stressed out from work or problems at home?
You want to draw him a… 

Dates: Thursdays: March 30 / April 6 / April 13
Hours: 19:00-20:15
Location: Mini Art Center – https://goo.gl/maps/GHrGyi6Up3RoUSom6
Duration: 75 min
Price: 30 BGN 

Come to the lab for Mighty (Яка) Relaxation.
In this series of relaxation and well-being workshops, we will relax our bodies, free our minds and leave feeling recharged, more relaxed and free of tension. We will be doing a variety of practices from mind-body medicine, somatics, mindfulness, restorative stretching, vagus nerve rewiring, therapeutic writing and play connections. You will learn things you can do in everyday life to take care of your mind, body, heart and soul.

More information:
– You can take a comfortable blanket or pillow for extra comfort.
– Bring your journal (if you have one).
– Please be on time!

More about the coach:

My name is Karina (Mia) and I specialize in teaching mindfulness, MBSR, embodiment, stress resilience, focus enhancement, physical, mental and emotional health therapies.
I have been working as a consultant, strategist and content writer for mindfulness and mental health apps and projects for the last seven years.
Currently, I am working on a mindfulness book, writing for apps, and doing research on mindfulness and theatrical play.
I also teach and make theater, and like to juggle.

Any questions? Please, get in touch with me here: https://www.facebook.com/mindfullykari

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#яка#релаксация#работилници#varietyofpractices#mindbodymedicine

#somatics#mindfulness#restorative#stretching#therapeuticwriting

#everydaylife#exercises#takecare#of#mind#body#heart#soul

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For those of you hosting Ukrainians, Ukrainians or any refugees fleeing from wars
We offer you physical activities and great social environment for your children or yourself

Please welcome at any circus class or event at Mini Art Center FREE OF CHARGE
as many times in the week or month you wish, come as many as you are. 

STAY UPDATED ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR EVENTS AND CLASS UPDATES!

facebook.com/miniartfest

We are located in the neighbourhood Orlandovtsi with the address:  ul. ”Parva Bulgarska Armia” No. 135,  4th floor.

Google maps direction: https://goo.gl/maps/XH1tAi5ZH78g2Hm29

 TRAM:   3, 4 or 18  (Katolicheski Grobishten Park)

M I N I    A R T   C E N T E R

CIRCUS, TRAININGS AND CULTURE

IS A NEWLY OPENED SPACE FOR CONTEMPORARY CIRCUS ARTS,

SOCIAL CIRCUS TRAININGS
AND CULTURAL EVENTS IN SOFIA TOWN.

Mini Art Center
Circus, Trainings and Culture place in Sofia

Circus training is a unique, creative way to keep fit and develop strength,
flexibility and coordination.

It is non-competitive and suitable for all skill levels.

Learning circus skills can be challenging, exhilarating and the results can be spectacular.

We run classes for all ages, from 6 years old (1st graders) up to adults 99 !
New students can try their first class for free

2 0 2 3
Weekly circus program
Winter/Spring season is from
15.01 – 30.06.2023

Important:  Bring indoor flat sports shoes, wear sports clothing and long hair must be styled with an elastic band!

REGISTRATION FORM
(Winter/Spring 2023)
Period: 15.01 – 30.06 2023 г.
https://forms.gle/VQwqB9jMdXz7e18K8

ul. Parva Bulgarska Armia 135, 4th floor
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PNL2aeSrMqMBZHPH8
3, 4 or 18 (Katolicheski Grobishten Park)

Monday
(Handstand) 19:00-20:00

Tuesday
(Unicycling) 19:00-20:00

Sunday  
(Mixed Circus) 15:00-17:00

The “Mixed Circus” class includes
minimum two of the following disciplines in each session:
Juggling, Individual and Partner Acrobatics, Trapeze, Balance Globe, Rolla-Bolla, Unicycling or Slack-line.

PRICES AND DISCOUNTS
1 class 20 BGN
Prepaying 4 classes gives you a 10% discount
8 or 12 prepaid classes gives you a 15% discount
Sibling discount 10% for a second or subsequent child in the same family that is enrolled during the same period.

STAY UPDATED ON OUR PLATFORMS

#circusclasses #miniartcenter #цирк #софия #forallages #alllevels#strength #flexibility #coordination #lifeskills

Circus performer Danka Sekulovic from CIRKUSFERA  and Galin Ryom-Røjbek from (Mini Art Foundation)
teamed up for both training together in partner acrobatics and for the workshop for the Sofians that took place Sunday 27.November at Mini Art Center in Sofia.

At the workshop participants in all ages, sizes and levels were presented first for innovative warm up games,
then they got into some easy basic partner balances to get started with, quickly they got a grip on the balance with them partners,
and they learned many new acrobatic partner balances that they now can continue practise in the christmas holidays
with friends and family members and or even materiale for their next performance.

We like to thank Danka for coming and bringing such a warm atmosphere and professionalism around her and the workshop.

The photos speaks it all:

No two bodies are alike.
All bodies are similar, however, in the complex power they enjoy: they are portal bodies, intermediaries between us and the world.
The great beauty of a body will never be its shape, its size, its flexibility or its strength, but the rigor with which its matter, our flesh, living and volcanic, inhabits the universe, keeps in contact with the Earth and with all other bodies.
A body does not run out of its capabilities. It is a continuous experience, a permanently new place and the oldest thing we have.
A body is a file, a manifesto, a position taken, a fire. Your anatomy matters little when it flares up.
A body is nothing less than a revolution. A place of violence and wonder, of obstinacy and surrender. A body is a possibility.

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This year, LEME festival reflects, through its programming and parallel activities, such as the DIVE program – Deep Learning Activity – on the theme “Diverse Bodies”, calling participants to think about inclusion and accessibility, rejecting the idea that the body it’s the limit.
The ideal body is the body that exists. Exactly this one, which we have now, here, at this very moment.
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In its fourth edition, LEME brings together 16 contemporary circus companies from 10 different countries, representing 70 artists from 16 nationalities. It presents 16 shows, in 31 exhibitions, including an international premiere, six national premieres and a preview. In the area of training, there are three workshops, an international event organized by the Circostrada Network and two artistic residencies.

MINI ART FOUNDATION TEAM SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE
13 shows in 3 days!  woaw 

Great days in the little town ilhavo in Portugal, together with circostradanetwork for their DIVE#2 conference and meetings with the main theme Inclusion in circus and street arts.
A big thanks to Bruno co-director of (Bússola) and Stéphane (circostradanetwork) for the invitation to the LEME festival
for the beautiful circus showcase old and new productions, for all the talks and networking opportunities. 

We were truly happy to be participating, especially after a tough week in Sofia before departing,
the negative news round by the Bulgarian National Culture Fund (ncf.bg) canceling most of the contemporary art sector!!!
We were so grateful for the meetings, performances and for the future collaborations with European partners.

? João Garcia Neto

? Geo Kalev

? Galina Ryom-Røjbek

After 3 years of work, we presented “It’s time for a show”
social circus on stage.

30 wonderful, brave and happy participants presented together many of the skills learned.
A full hall of parents, teachers, social workers, students and friends.
Tears of joy from excitement that young and old people with disabilities can be happy, joyful and advanced in the circus with dignity.
Respect to all the colleagues who made this possible in Veliko Tarnovo
thanks to you for understanding how important the social vision is and defending the rights of all citizens in Bulgaria!

#socialcircus

#velikotarnovo

#socialchange

#forbulgaria