As the festival circulates around various Lithuanian cities, the professional and educational program grows as well. This year, we will focus on building connections, and thus initiate a workshop for cultural operators. We invite contemporary circus artists to pitch their ideas and performances to local and international professionals. The critique workshop will be led by Ms. Nina Jääskeläinen from Finland, who promises to provide the tools needed to write about contemporary circus.
On June 7th cultural operators and representatives of cultural centres are welcome in Prienai, where workshops will be held with the inspiring lecturer Ana Moraes. Since 1999, Ana is artistic director of the association of cultural producers “Ideias Peregrinas”. The association works with music, literature, dance, street theatre and circus projects. She has contributed to artistic projects in the context of European Capitals of Culture (2001 and 2012), initiates and implements dance and circus projects around the world (Brazil, Macao, Cape Verde, etc.). During the workshop, participants will gain a better understanding of the possibilities and functioning of the circus, how it can be presented in their institution, what a cultural institution needs and what circus artists offer. How can a cultural institution contribute to the circus community while achieving its goals and what influence can the form itself have on the community of a city or town. On the same day, the festival organises a pitch session of contemporary circus projects. Artists are welcome to present their project/work-in-progress/finished performance to local cultural operators. This is a great opportunity to get to know each other or make yourself visible, to look for partners and opportunities for cooperation. We want to see circulation throughout the year, so we aim to create conditions for making acquaintances between the contemporary circus community and Lithuanian cultural operators, cultural centres, and other interested institutions. We see great potential for presenting contemporary circus in various cultural institutions: providing spaces for artists to create, reside, show performances or conduct workshops. Artists are invited through an open call, and together with the selected participants we will refine the presentations to achieve the best result.
A couple of days later, on June 9th, the second PITCH SESSION project presentation for the international circus community will take place in Kaunas, Girstutis cultural house. While the audience for this presentation is different, the goal is similar. After last year’s success, this year, we are again inviting the international circus community to meet at the festival, where, in addition to the artistic program, they will have the opportunity to learn about the latest news of the Baltic contemporary circus, works in development and existing productions. We want to increase the visibility of the Baltic contemporary circus scene, so we hope that the pitches will encourage the mobility of artists and open up more opportunities for residencies and performance presentations.
Moreover, the festival welcomes performing arts critics again – this year, the unofficial circus club will be led by Nina Jääskeläinen, who will facilitate a workshop on circus critique. Nina Jääskeläinen is a performing arts journalist and critic, who has worked for Teatteri&Tanssi+Sirkus Magazine and is currently the editor-in-chief of Filatelisti magazine. The goal of the lecturer in Kaunas is to develop participants’ confidence and increase the joy of writing.
We are sharing some important open-calls. These are the opportunities you don’t want to miss;
circusnext
the last info-session for those who want to apply – see here
circusnext – open call until April 17.
An invitation to emerging artists who, as authors, have a unique approach to circus and want to develop their work at the European level. Conditions and application form.
Cirkuliacija – Pitch session in Prienai, June 7.
Invitation to present your projects and creations to Lithuanian cultural operators and local producers. We encourage circus artists to build bridges in the Lithuanian cultural sector: expand touring opportunities, look for partners for residencies or presenting performances. The session will happen after a workshop dedicated specifically to creating and strengthening partnerships.
Invitation and all the info. Call for artists is open until April 20.
Cirkuliacija – Pitch session in Kaunas, June 9.
Pitch session for the international circus community. This year, we will once again organize professional days at the festival. Representatives of the international circus community will meet during them. We want to present the circus of the Baltic countries, increase its visibility and expand the possibilities of international cooperation. You are welcome to present the same project on June 7 and 9.
Call for artists is open until April 20.
[Re]viewer workshop with Nina Jääskeläinen
Circus critique, Kaunas, June 8-10.
More information and registration