Next Door Circus Magazine Next Door Circus Magazine #2 | Page 38

Economic and
social benefits of
a circus festival
by Māra Pāvula

Brief History of CIRCa
prepared w information from CIRCa offiith
cial website
Brief History of CIRCa
1975 – 1988
Pop Circus is born from a circus workshop
in the attics of the “Oratoire Sainte Marie
College”, initiated by the professor and
abbot of Lavenère-Lussan. His ambition
was to give young people the opportunity to learn how to live together through
the discipline of circus. Just a year later,
Cirque Zavatta establishes its winter residence in Auch.
“La Jeune Chambre Economique” of
Auch, which seeks to implement innovative projects that bear social, economic
and cultural interest, becomes interested
in circus and in 1988, supported by the
city of Auch, creates a place for circus
schools to get together in France.
1988
The Circa association, which draws its
name from an abbreviation of: “Concours
International du Rayonnement du Cirque
d’Avenir” (International competition to
spread the influence of the circus of the
future) is created with recognition from
institutional partners.

Case
study:

Auch

1990 - 1995
The first edition of a National Festival is
held under big top circus tents. In the second and third season, the festival draws
larger and larger audiences. The initial
idea of competition is abandoned. The
emphasis shifts towards education and
teaching.
1996
Circa Festival is internationally recognized as the place for schools, artists and
professionals to get together, sharing the
ring for a whole week. The association,
which up until then worked only with
volunteers, hires its first employee.

1998 and 1999
Circa signs a three-year funding agreement with local, regional and national
institutions. It develops different activities
during the year, hosts companies in residency, and programs circus acts as part of
the “Saison Cultural” (“The Cultural Season
program”) in the department of Gers.
2000
Circa acquires its first circus tent.
201
Circa and the “Saison Culturelle” of the
City of Auch merge their activities, forming an administative structure called
CIRCUITS. CIRCUITS implements Festival Circa as well as an annual season of
shows.
2003
Leaving the previous grounds of Endoumingue Park, the festival moves into the
heart of the city of Auch. This brings a
new rapport with the people of Auch,
who can take part in the festivities and
mingle with the major players.
2007
The festival celebrates its 20-year anniversary, and CIRCUITS sees the CIRC project
(Centre for Research and Innovation in
Circus art) materialize.
2008
Franck Montaugé, the new Mayor of
Auch, proposes to transplant CIRC to a
new headquarters, rebuilding the “Caserne Espagne” (Spain Barracks) in the heart
of the city.
2011
CIRCUITS becomes CIRCa and starts
working on the new site of the former
Barracks Espagne. It becomes a National
centre of circus arts.

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Company XY, photo by Christophe Raynaud de Lage (c)

CIRCa, photo by Camille Derijard (c)