The online event “Circ i exili” (Circus and Exile), organized by the Arxiu de Circ, will take place on November 24

‘Cirquemétrage’ a show by Júlia Campistany. Photo by Jostijn Ligtvoet

From the Arxiu de Circ (circus archive)—one of the 14 measures included in the Catalonia Circus Development Plan (2023–2026)—comes an open invitation to take part in the 6th participatory meeting, “Circ i exili” (Circus and Exile), which will be held online on Monday, November 24, at 11 a.m.

The session aims to create a space for dialogue and exchange among all those who have migrated in order to pursue their circus practice—both people who have left Catalonia and those who have arrived there. The meeting will be dedicated to listening to personal stories, motivations, and circumstances experienced throughout these journeys. Since circus is often a nomadic art form, it is important to capture this experience within the Archive.

The Arxiu de Circ promotes participation and direct connection with the community to build a collective memory told by its own protagonists. For this reason, thematic meetings are organized to explore different aspects of Catalan circus history, serving as catalysts for identifying and gathering materials. The goal is to involve the circus sector in creating plural narratives that reflect the diversity and richness of this artistic universe.

So far, the participatory meetings have included “Circ i okupació” (Circus and Squatting), “Pioners/es del circ” (Pioneers of Circus), “Circ d’avui” (Contemporary Circus), and “Circ i gènere” (Circus and Gender), with the collaboration of emblematic venues such as Espai Bolívia, Ateneu Popular 9 Barris, and the Kontrast Festival.

• Online link to the event
• Date and time: Monday, November 24, at 11:00 a.m.
• Event schedule:
  • 11:00 a.m. – Welcome and opening
  • 11:30 a.m. – Testimony groups
  • 12:30 p.m. – Group discussion / sharing
  • 1:00 p.m. – Closing

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

The Arxiu de Circ initiative aims to create a space for documentation and archiving dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage and artistic value of Catalan circus. It also seeks to establish a bridge between new generations of artists and the entire genealogy of creators in the region, sharing their journeys and the cultural legacy they have built.