Next Door Circus Magazine Next Door Circus Magazine No.1 | Page 14

EUROPE
BALTIC-NORDIC CIRCUS NETWORK IN PROGRESS
The network of Baltic and Nordic circus organisations aims to make contemporary circus
stronger and more visible in the Baltic and Nordic countries. Contemporary circus as an art
form is close to theatre or dance, but it is not as well known. Especially in the Baltic countries,
there are not that many professional contemporary circus artists and not so many opportunities to see contemporary circus performances. The situation is better in Nordic countries, but
the field is still young and there is a lack of funding, supportive str uctures and circus critics, to
name a few examples.
The needs for the future development are partly similar in all countries in the region. Because
the circus art field is not so large, it is more effective to do the developing work together regionally. The Baltic-Nordic circus network brings together professionals of circus art field to improve working possibilities and knowledge of circus art in Baltic and Nordic countries.
Where did we start?
During the present year, people from Baltic and Nordic circus organisations have been cooperating to create a network. The vision of a circus network that would strengthen the collaboration among the Baltic and Nordic circus professionals and organizations has little by little
become more concrete. Currently, there are partners from seven countries in the network.
The starting point of the network was a need for stronger collaboration among the circus
organizations of the Baltic and Nordic countries. In the Baltic countries the circus art field is still
young. Contemporary circus art is not very well known and the amount of professional circus
artists interested in contemporary circus is not very high. In the Nordic countries, circus is better k