Figueres will showcase one of the best circus shows in the world

Figueres (ACN).- The Catalan northern town of Figueres, home to Salvador Dalí, is preparing for the first edition of the International Circus Festival, from March 1^st to March 4^th. One of the main attractions of this circus festival is that it will act as a platform for launching some of the world’s best shows that have never trodden a European ring. Another highlight of the Figueres’ festival is that it will take place at Sant Ferran Castle, the largest 18^th century European fortress, where three big tops with a capacity for more than 10,000 viewers over the seven shows planned will be set up. The show programme includes 52 artists from 13 different countries that will compete before a world-renowned jury.

The first edition of the International Circus Festival includes 22 different shows and varied disciplines such as aerial strings, juggling, “perch” or aerial bamboo, among others, with artists from Vietnam (Love in Spring), Belarus (Trio Gavrosh), Mongolia (Troupe Zola), United States (Sasha and Adam Kuchler), Canada (Dúo Dam), or Ukraine (Hunters), to mention some names.

The Festival’s Director and Promoter, Genís Matabosch, explained that all the circus acts will be divided into two shows – the Blue and the Red. They will perform in front of a jury of experts that will have to choose, show by show, the best groups which will end by performing in the so called ‘Golden Show’, following the Awards presentation. According to Matabosch – who has been working on this project for more than a year and who is absolutely convinced of its potential – the public will have the right to vote, and will be able to choose the best show from all the performances seen. In total, 22 shows will be offered which make up 19 hours of live performance. To open the festival, Carmino d'Angelo Orchestra will perform his show 'Music in the circus' as the special invited guest.

A unique platform in Europe

According to the organisers, there are a dozen similar festivals such as those in Montecarlo, Budapest or Paris. Now, the Catalan town of Figueres, which is the capital of the Alt Empordà County (where the Pyrenees meet the Costa Brava), wants to make a niche for itself on this list. This small town is showing a lot of ambition by opening the door to Europe and offering a launch platform for unknown shows which want to break into the European market.

Figueres offers other favorable points, such as its strategic geographic location. By being so close to France, one of the referent countries in the field of circus, it is expected to draw European followers as well as mobilising Catalan public, as well as from the rest of Spain. The fact that it will take place in a very peculiar site, Sant Ferran Castle, the biggest military fortress in Europe from the 18^th century is also a unique element as the three big tops will be set up in the arms courtyard.

A huge boost to the Figueres economy

Some financial details and sales figures were announced during the festial’s presentation. For instance, 11,000 tickets will go on sale – 1,480 in each show at the Big Top and 950 at the Jardí Theatre; more than 2,000 people will come from all over the world to the Festival, generating 1,690 meals and 650 bookings in seven different hotels in Figueres.

Apart from this, parallel activities will be also organised such as 4 exhibitions, 3 book presentations and an international circus collectors fair. The schools in Figueres will also participate in this big event for the town, organising workshops to deal with the circus world and shopkeepers will be able to decorate their businesses with circus elements.

In this way, according to Marta Felip, the Deputy Mayor of Figueres, the festival will become a huge boost for the town. Felip emphasised the importance of this event as an “economic boost” for Figueres, and hopes it will lead to a “break in the seasonality” of tourism in Figueres, which is very reduced during the winter.

No fees but all expenses paid

The artists who will perform at the International Circus Festival will not receive any economic compensation, contrary to what happens in other festivals, but they will have all their costs paid. The Director of the Festival stressed the confidence the artists have placed on this project, because they have chosen this Festival to represent them in the European market.

The argument is that these artists have everything to gain, because there will be circus programmers from all over the world. If they are chosen as the best, it will give them prestige and years of work on many stages around the world.

Special trains from París and Milan with overnight stays at local hotels

Iberrail (France) and Girasole (Italy) tour operators have already put on sale a pack that includes a round-trip journey from Paris or Milan, a night in a hotel, and the festival performances. They are also negotiating a similar offer for visitors from Madrid.

This pioneer initiative in Catalonia means that the interior of the trains will be specially decorated for the occasion, will offer a selection of circus videos and live performances from invited artists.

Support from some public administrations and private businesses

Although the first edition of the Festival comes at a delicate economic moment, organisers emphasised the interest of some local administrations and employers that have opted to support this project. According to the organizers, the first to believe in the potential of this International Circus Festival was the Figueres Mayor, Santi Vila, from the Centre-Right Catalan Nationalist Coalition (CiU). Vila, after seeing how the festival was organised in Albacete by the same director, encouraged the team to move it to Figueres.

Other local administrations decided to give it economic support, such as the Girona Provincial Council and the Girona Tourism Council, which have contributed with 1,500 euros and 20,000 euros respectively. The rest of the budget, amounting to 250,000 euros, comes from private contributions and the support of fifty businesses and ticket sales. Tickets are already on sale through CaixaBank’s ServiCaixa or at the ticket office of El Jardí Theatre in Figueres at a cost of between 10 and 45 euros.