Three weeks after Circada kicked off on June 5th at Las Setas de Sevilla and almost a month since its first performances in the extensions of El Viso del Alcor and Utrera, the Circada Festival bids farewell to its XVIII edition with the best possible feelings.
Although there are still a couple of performances in the extensions of Lebrija (June 25) and Montoro (June 26), Sunday, the 22nd, marked the final conclusion of the Official Section in the capital of Seville with a double program that addressed two unique spaces at the Real Fábrica de Artillería de Sevilla. The companies Libertivore and Paula Quintas brought proposals of contemporary and experimental circus, in dialogue with a monumental and heritage space recently recovered for cultural uses in Seville.
This closure was a clear statement of intent from a festival that, through about 30 different shows, aimed to showcase the diversity of styles, aesthetics, and approaches to contemporary circus. From street performances with a strong humorous component like those of José Luis Redondo or La Belle Ecole to the strength of acrobatic collectives Eunoia, Spinish Circo, and Siroco, passing through the circus poetry of EIA, the flamenco circus of Chicharrón, the tribute to classical circus by Duoxcaso, or the high juggling technique of Zirkozaurre and Luichi Leal.
With approximately 15,000 spectators in Seville and about 5,000 in the extensions (approximately 20,000 in total), Circada remains a culturally popular event, which has also played with varied audience capacities, ranging from 800 people to as few as 90 in more intimate spaces like La Clessidra by Duoxcaso or the immersive circus by Paula Quintas.
The organization highlights the contrast between the more central and crowded spaces, such as Las Setas, Alameda, or Torre de los Perdigones, with the days when Circada has moved to more peripheral areas to generate new festival experiences, like the two days at Parque del Alamillo on June 7 and 8, the event at Parque de Miraflores with a closing at Assejazz on June 20, or the last weekend at Artillería.
Once again, the peak circus intensity occurred during Panorama Circada, from June 12 to 15, when in just 4 days, there were 20 street performances, two galas, six showcases, and four professional activities.
The presence of 70 professionals, 50 Spanish and 20 international, marks each year this volume of activity, essential for generating one of the most relevant circus encounters in Europe, with very important repercussions for the participating artists.
During these days, the festival’s six co-productions were presented, and five absolute premieres were enjoyed. As usual, the most popular moments of Circada came from the «twinning» of the festival with some of the most rooted circus educational projects in the city, such as La Nave, Puretas, and Espacio Vacío, who returned to Las Setas to celebrate their end-of-course shows in front of hundreds of spectators.
Another highlight and festive moment of the festival occurred once again at the Grand Gala Circada at Teatro Alameda, which once again saw full houses. The connection with the commitment to the city, especially with the more social side of Circada, took place at a new circus cabaret at Centro Penitenciario Sevilla I, where some of the most prominent Andalusian artists of the moment participated.
