“Circus and Narrative”, fifth participatory meeting of the Living Circus Archive at the Nou Barris Library

From the Circus Archive, one of the 14 measures of the Catalonia Circus Development Plan (2023–2026), comes an invitation to take part in the 5th participatory meeting “Circus and Narrative”, which will take place on Monday, November 3, from 10:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Nou Barris Library – Aurora Díaz Plaja (Barcelona).

The event aims to become a space for dialogue and exchange with all those who, from diverse disciplines, have dedicated their talent to creating and disseminating the narrative of the circus. Throughout the day we will revisit the names, the media, and the key moments that have contributed to writing the history of Catalan circus over the past 50 years. To do so, we will count on the collaboration of the Nou Barris Library – Aurora Díaz Plaja and the support of Zirkólika magazine.

The Circus Archive is committed to participation and direct connection with the community in order to generate a collective, polyphonic narrative of memory, told by its protagonists. For this reason, thematic gatherings are organized that cut across the history of Catalan circus and act as triggers for identifying and collecting materials. The goal is to involve the circus sector in the creation of multiple narratives that reflect the diversity and richness of this artistic universe.

So far, the following participatory meetings have been held: “Circus and Squatting”, “Circus Pioneers”, “Circus Today”, and “Circus and Gender”. These gatherings have taken place with the collaboration of emblematic spaces such as Espai Bolívia, the Ateneu Popular 9Barris, and the Kontrast Festival.

Meeting venue: Nou Barris Library – Aurora Díaz Plaja
Date and time: Monday, November 3, at 10:45 a.m.

Schedule

• 10:45 a.m.: Arrival, coffee, and informal chat

• 11:15 – 11:20 a.m.: Opening presentation

• 11:30 a.m.: Group sessions

• 1:15 p.m.: Sharing session

• 2:00 p.m.: Lunch (light buffet)

• 3:00 p.m.: Gradual closing

The event is free of charge, with prior registration required, and is open to circus workers, creators, producers, and other professionals in the sector.

The Living Circus Archive initiative aims to create a space for documentation and archiving dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of the heritage and artistic value of Catalan circus. It also seeks to build a bridge between new generations of artists and a whole genealogy of creators from the region, sharing their trajectories and the cultural legacy they have built.