Circus for Change

Assirk Assaghir completed the first phase of the Circus for Change program funded by the Danish Center for Culture and Development. The project takes circus workshops to villages in the Nablus district. Assirk Assaghir chose two villages to start the project: Asseera Asshamaliya, a village known for its olive trees dating back to Roman times; and Jemain, an isolated village on the outskirts of the Nablus district. The trainers worked with more than 70 children, introducing them to many different circus arts, playing teamwork games with them, and giving them a chance at self expression through artistic means. The children were excited when they mastered a few tricks on the diabolo, or were able to juggle three balls and they were fascinated by the stilts and unicycles.

The next phase of the project is to tour a show in Asseera Asshamaliya, Jemain and 8 other villages in the Nablus district.

Assirk Assaghir has kicked off the summer with a full schedule of trainings, workshops and shows. With more than 40 students ranging in age from 5 to 20, the Nablus Circus School is always buzzing with activity. One of the most exciting aspects of this new phase in Assirk Assaghir's activities is the progression of the advanced group of teen students and their development into team leaders. A number of these youth teach the younger students, help plan trainings, and develop shows. Most recently they helped develop a show that was performed for an audience of elderly people who participate in a social welfare program through An-Najah University and another at the Red Crescent Society for handicapped children as a kick-off to their summer camp.