An international delegation of circus programmers and directors toured Switzerland to experience firsthand the country’s vibrant and fast-evolving contemporary circus scene.
In June 2025, the Performing Arts division of Pro Helvetia in collaboration with the liaison offices invited an international delegation of programmers and artistic directors to Switzerland for an immersive networking and research trip exploring the vibrant contemporary circus and physical theatre scene. The week-long programme connected with artists, organisations and networks in Biel/Bienne, Sion, Verscio, Lugano, Aarau, Basel and Zurich, which are shaping the evolving landscape of contemporary circus today.
A gathering of global circus voices
The delegation consisted of a diverse group of professionals deeply embedded in their local circus ecosystems, each bringing unique perspectives:
- Linda Yip (Hong Kong), Head of Performing Arts at Tai Kwun, known for fostering contemporary circus development in Asia.
- Lin Chih-Wei and Baboo Liao (Taiwan), Director of the Focasa Circus Festival and Editor-in-Chief of Du Circus, key platforms in Taiwan’s circus scene.
- Dereje Mulate (Ethiopia), Artistic Director of Fekat Circus, a company blending tradition with innovation.
- Tola Akerele (Nigeria), General Manager of the National Theatre of Nigeria, passionate about growing Nigeria’s circus industry.
- Wissal Bettaibi (Tunisia), Project Manager at El Warcha, focused on site-specific arts projects in North Africa.
- Reem Khalid Allam (Egypt/UAE), Associate Director at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabis, bridging Middle Eastern contemporary arts with the world.
- Iván Corral (Uruguay), Producer and Director of the Uruguayan Circus Arts Network, committed to advancing circus education.
- Ari Felipe Miaciro (Brazil), architect and curator at Sesc-SP, exploring cross-disciplinary collaborations.
Together, they explored artist residencies, training institutions, festivals and creative spaces across Switzerland, immersing themselves in the country’s contemporary circus ecosystem.
A journey through Switzerland’s circus landscape
The delegation’s Swiss journey began in Biel/Bienne, where the PlusQ’île Festival offered a window into the country’s experimental circus styles. Lin Chih-Wei of the Focasa Circus Festival in Taiwan noted how the family-friendly street performances and pay-what-you-can model ‚enhances accessibility [as well as] invites the public to reflect on the cultural value of art.‘
The stop at LE SPOT Theater in Sion resonated deeply with many delegates due to its focus on site-specific and unconventional circus works. The delegation were introduced to various residency programmes which sparked points of connection and exchange. Linda Yip noted how the ‚visits to Station Circus Basel and Zirkusquartier Zurich residency opened an opportunity for international exchange and collaboration with Swiss artists.‘ This vibrant ecosystem is supported by strong government initiatives, community networks, and private donors, creating fertile ground for both independent artists and established companies. Lin Chih-Wei noted that despite being well-structured and resourced, ‚Switzerland’s circus ecosystem…remains highly competitive. It is not a romanticised artistic utopia but a dynamic field of multiple players—festivals, theaters, residencies.‘
At the Dimitri Academy in Verscio, the delegation witnessed the core training of Swiss circus artists, blending tradition, physical theatre, and contemporary circus. Brazilian curator Ari Felipe Miaciro described this visit as ‚a very special day where tradition, training, and research come together – a precious space for the circus, not only in Switzerland but worldwide.‘ Baboo Liao of Du Circus echoed this sentiment, noting that ‚the school’s openness and pedagogical diversity reflect a cultural trust in the artist’s potential.‘
The journey ended with performances and exchanges at Cirqu’Aarau and in cultural centers like LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, revealing the scale of Switzerland’s circus landscape. ‚It was interesting travelling around Switzerland seeing the different kinds of circus,‘ Tola Akerele of the National Theatre of Nigeria reflected.
‚I very much enjoyed the festival in Aarau which gave us a good breadth of the different circus styles.‘ Adding to this, Dereje Mulate from Fekat Circus in Ethiopia highlighted the variety of circus spaces and styles in Switzerland. ‚I observed a vibrant and diverse circus scene. The talented circus artists showcasing their work… their energy and passion for their craft was truly inspiring.‘
Artistic encounters and shared learnings
One of the trip’s highlights was the rich interaction between the delegates and Swiss artists, directors, and producers, sparking conversations around shared challenges and opportunities. ‚I felt a strong sense of complementarity between the Swiss and Tunisian contexts,‘ Wissal Bettaibi from ElWarcha in Tunisia noted, ‚we work under very different conditions — but that difference creates room for meaningful artistic dialogue, grounded in mutual learning and shared experimentation.‘ The encounter with Martin Zimmerman resonated deeply with the delegates, many of whom are enthusiastic about exploring future opportunities to work with him. Wissal Bettaibi noted how Zimmerman’s ‚way of constructing meaning through space first, then inviting dramaturgy to follow, is both poetic and politically sharp. Beyond that, his pedagogical approach — generous, clear, and collaborative — made me reflect on the role of transmission in contemporary circus practices.‘
For Reem Allam, the Associate Director at The Arts Center at NYU in Abu Dhabi, the pace of the trip offered space for genuine engagement. ‚We had the chance and time to stay in each venue long enough to interact with their team and artists in residence as if we were living a day of their everyday work life with them‘ he reflected, ‚this allowed us to really understand how the space works and the artists‘ creative approach.‘
Funding challenges were a common topic, as delegates shared experiences and brainstormed alternative support models. ‚I found myself constantly imagining how similar models [such as Plus Qu’île] could be adapted to my own context in Tunisia, where we often work with limited resources but immense public potential,‘ Wissal Bettaibi reflects.
The interdisciplinary nature of contemporary circus also sparked discussion, as well as emphasis on merging traditional heritage and modern innovation. ‚We talked about the importance of cultural heritage and traditions in modern art, the influence of globalisation, merging art and technology, and the role of art in promoting social change,‘ Dereje recounts.
Themes of collaboration and cross-cultural exchange
The trip fostered strong connections and ground for future collaborations across continents. Ari Felipe Miaciro from Sesc-SP in Brazil remarked on the unexpected synergy between all of the delegates and how ‚having perspectives from different parts of the world on local issues made the discussions much deeper and more interesting‘. This sentiment was reiterated by Lin Chih-Wei, who said that ‚a recurring theme across many discussions was the need to build a more connected, transnational circus network—especially among regions that face structural limitations. Conversations with artists from Africa and Latin America revealed shared challenges: lack of infrastructure, unstable funding, and minimal institutional support. These issues echoed the situation in Taiwan, reminding me that we are not alone, but part of a global network of underrepresented voices in circus.‘
For Linda Yip, Tai Kwun’s head of Performing Arts, the trip provided a clear path forward for global cooperation: “There are possibilities for expanding the annual contemporary circus season in December by introducing masters and emerging talents from South America and Africa in addition to Asia.‘ Tola Akerele likewise revealed plans inspired by the trip and fellow delegates. “It has inspired me to start up a circus festival in Nigeria… We’re looking to grow the circus industry here and have trainings around it,‘ she explains. ‚We’re already planning a trip for Dereje Dange to come out to Nigeria to do some research.‘
For Uruguayan producer Iván Corral, the parallels between his home circus scene and Switzerland’s were encouraging. ‚I was very impressed,‘ he reflects, ‚I perceived a very healthy and collaborative atmosphere among the different organisations, with a notable good relationship between the representatives of venues in different regions.‘ Based on encounters during the trip, he is already developing plans for collaborating with Swiss artist Jennifer Skolovski around their shared interest in cows, and the Dimitri Academy’s Anna Gromanova around formal circus education in Uruguay.
Brazilian curator Ari Felipe Miaciro emphasised the richness of multicultural artistic groups in Switzerland as a point of potential connection with the Brazilian scene: ‚I was very curious to imagine joint creations in both environments as a way of exploring what kind of artistic provocations the works could address.‘
The research trip exemplifies Pro Helvetia’s commitment to nurturing international dialogue, mobility, and collaboration within the performing arts. ‚Being part of such a diverse and committed delegation was in itself a source of learning and inspiration,‘ Wissal Bettaibi reflects. ‚The participants came from very different artistic and geographical backgrounds, which created a rich dynamic of exchange and solidarity. Beyond the programmed activities, the informal conversations — moments of doubt, enthusiasm, shared reflection — helped build real connections that I believe will continue to grow over time.‘
By supporting connection and exchange between artists, programmers and cultural institutions around the world, Pro Helvetia looks to contribute to the vibrant evolution of contemporary circus and physical theatre scenes.
As the delegation returned home enriched with new networks, knowledge and inspiration, the seeds have been planted for future projects, residencies, and platforms that will continue to grow the global circus community. Stay tuned for more stories and collaborations born out of this inspiring journey.
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