History

Cirko - Centre for New Circus was established in the autumn of 2002 for the purpose of gathering together the resources of new circus groups and artists and to promote new circus. In the spring of 2004 the Finnish Cultural Foundation granted Cirko significant three-year funding for a development project, giving Cirko the decisive impetus for starting its activities. Cirko was also established as a response to the development of new circus in Finland in the mid-1990s.

New circus thinking made its way to Finland gradually. The Helsinki Festival imported performances representing new aesthetics (such as Metal Clown by Archaos in 1991, Ler Cri du Caméleon by Josef Najd in 1998). At the same time, experimental theatre, modern dance and performances expanded the modes of performing, and post-modern problem-setting awoke an echo which emerged as cross-disciplinary art forms. Young circus artists formed loose groups, which were influenced by French new circus, for example. Videos and the Internet developed further, which made the sending and finding of information easier and faster. A burgeoning Europe with festivals and conferences demonstrated the new forms of circus. Aspiring Finnish circus artists moved to countries such as France and England to study and perform. The development of the artists now involved in Cirko’s activities laid the foundation for the new Finnish circus.

Currently new Finnish circus has already found international recognition for its artistic quality. Progress has nevertheless been slow due to undeveloped production and financial structures. Public funding has been available on a project-specific basis, and thus it has not facilitated the maintenance of fixed groups and long-term work. Cirko acts as a production centre that supports artists and groups and coordinates resources in the field.