Lagos:The National Theatre is set to host ‘Circus in Motion,’ a contemporary circus festival aimed at creating new career opportunities for Nigerian performers and promoting African cultural exchanges. The event is scheduled for October 3 and 4 and is sponsored by the European Union.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Tola Akerele, the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the National Theatre, emphasized that ‘Circus in Motion’ is the first of its kind in West Africa. The family-oriented festival will offer free entry and feature live performances, youth and community outreach, and professional development activities.
Akerele explained that contemporary circus focuses on human performance through acrobatics, movement, dance, and aerial acts, rather than traditional animal acts. She highlighted that Nigeria’s existing physical performance traditions could serve as a foundation for developing contemporary circus, potentially providing original stories for the global stage.
The festival aims to encourage collaboration among African artists and companies, promoting opportunities within the continent. Akerele noted the potential for longer training exchanges in the future, allowing Nigerian performers to train with international practitioners.
Ivorian cultural entrepreneur Chantal Djedje pointed out that African traditional dances and physical movements already contain elements of circus performance. She cited circus projects in Guinea and South Africa as examples of how training can connect young people, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with professional opportunities.
The festival will facilitate collaboration between circus practitioners from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Senegal, and Switzerland. Notable participants include Fekat Circus from Ethiopia, SenCirk from Senegal, and Swiss artist Jessica Arpin. Arpin highlighted the inclusive nature of circus, which welcomes diverse body types and sizes.
Sanuel Udoh, Founder and Artistic Director of Slum Circus, stated that many Nigerian performers possess skills like juggling and acrobatics without fully recognizing their potential. The training leading up to the festival has been structured as a mentorship program to help performers develop their abilities professionally. Outreach initiatives have also introduced students in Oworonshoki and Bariga to creative career possibilities in circus arts.