BNCN meeting retrospect

balticnordiccircus
4 days ago
2 min read

Updated: 11 hours ago

After some time, BNCN members had the opportunity to meet up all together again! In the beginning of October, Hosted by Circle of Arts in Copenhagen, we spent three intensive days of discussion, work groups, decision-making, kick-starting the newest projects, building the foundations of new collaborative ideas and also spending "mind-off-body-on" time.

While we spent the most time in the current Circle of Arts space in AFUK, we were also visiting the new Copenhagen Contemporary Circus College and seeing the space in its beginning stages.

The main focus of the meeting was to onboard the members within the two new projects :

1) ARTiculate Nordic and Baltic Circus Arts - where the aim is to begin mapping of artistic methodologies that carry the essence of Nordic and Baltic region. What is being created and how in this region?

2) Nordic and Baltic circus alliances - where the aim is to focus on organisational development of circus scene in the region. What are the realities, dreams and futures of circus organisations in the Nordics and Baltics?

If you are curious about these projects, follow us on socials and keep track of what we are finding on our way!

As part of our time in CCCC we were able to see a mini version of Élise Bjerkelund Reine's performance "Manifest. How Far Are You Willing to Bend?" which inspired us for further discussions about the impact of space, format and audience to the performing artist.

In the last day we found out about other networks that are growing in the region and festivals happening in Denmark. We heard introductions to:

W/ - co-production network of new contemporary circus performances
Nordic Touring Newtork - network that supports nonverbal circus and dance companies in the Nordic countries
C!CAF - Copenhagen Circus Arts Festival - a well established festival inovative for the city
AFUK Scene - space and events for experimental circus and performance development