Seminar: Circus - an escape. Roma traveler people's perspective on circus

Cirkus Syd are together with Cirkus Brazil Jack and Romskt informations- och kunskapscenterparticipating in the Human Rights days in Örebro together.

For Roma people the circus has historically both been a way to earn their livelihood, but also a way to stay in one place without being driven off by the police or harassed by the local population. But the contribution and importance of Roma to the development of Europe's artistic and cultural life has often been disregarded, this also applies to circus as an art form.

During the Second World War, Jews and Roma who worked in the circus were hidden in circus wagons with double walls, so they could continue their work in the circus and avoid the persecution of the Nazis. For generations, the circus has welcomed people who, for various reasons, did not fit into society.

Based on the pre-study "Roma's importance for Swedish circus", Cirkus Brazil Jack, RIKC and Cirkus Syd discuss the Circus as a historical and contemporary refuge for those who deviate or are not welcomed in general society, with a particular focus on Roma and travellers.

What is the situation today for a travelling Circus? Can the circus's intercultural approach - which is both national and international, both ethnic and trans-ethnic - set a good example in a world that is increasingly characterized by ethno-national currents? How do we include the Roma minority in our common Swedish cultural heritage? We explore these and many other questions together with the audience during our seminar.

Link to event