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Performing Arts Laboratory “CirqueMusique”

Performing Arts Laboratory “CirqueMusique” is a project for children and young people aged 12 to 18 that combines contemporary music with the modern circus. The project is implemented by SIA “Lielais dzintars” together with project partners – Julian Sæther from Norway and Greta Clough from Iceland, and also includes four internationally renowned young generation composers from Latvia – Krists Auznieks, Platons Buravickis, Linda Leimane and Santa Ratniece, as well as outstanding Latvian musicians and circus artists from Latvia and Norway.

In 2023 in four Latvian concert halls in Rezekne, Cesis, Liepaja and Ventspils, for three days were workshops for music and sports school students guided by composers, musicians and circus artists, where they teached youth about elements of contemporary music and modern circus arts to expand their creativity. The creative workshop concluded with a small performance where both professionals and workshop participants united on stage to share what they have learned and discovered. 

During the workshop in Liepaja at the concert hall “Lielais dzintars”, a video was made, where are answers how the project idea came, what activities are planned in the project, what about workshop thinks one of the project participants and what has to say the project partner from Norway – Julian Sæther, who is also the artistic director and circus artist of the project.

The aim of the workshops was to introduce young people aged 12-18 to contemporary performing arts using the language of music and circus, but for arts professionals – to draw inspiration from the workshops in order to create an interdisciplinary show for young audiences combining music and circus in 2024.

In parallel to the four workshops, workshops on audience development were held, led by the project partner from Iceland – Greta Clough, who is also the artistic director of Handbendi Puppet Theatre and Studio and an expert in culturally driven rural community regeneration and audience development. Representatives of cultural institutions and organisations in the region, decision-makers, as well as professionals who shape cultural life in the county or work with young audiences in the field of culture on a daily basis were invited to participate in these workshops.

*The project “Performing Arts Laboratory “CirqueMusique”” (No.EEZ/2022/2/19) is implemented thanks to the support of the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism Programme “Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Cultural Cooperation” 2014-2020 within Open Call “Support for the Creation of Professional Art and Cultural Products for Children and Youth”.