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.

Circus Trainer travels to Germany

Bahaa, a long-time circus trainer at the Nablus circus school left in early April for Berlin, Germany to participate in the European Voluntary Service at the Grenzkultur circus. Bahaa will be able to learn new skills in circus arts and teaching while also sharing his knowledge with the Germans and internationals in Berlin. Bahaa plans to volunteer for one year and then return to Nablus to continue at Assirk Assaghir. We wish him the best of luck and want him to know that he will be missed at the circus school.

Shows for School Children

In April Assirk Assaghir's team of teens performed 4shows for school children as part of a yearly project in coopeartion with the Child Culture Center in Nablus. The show consisted of acts in poi, clowning, unicycle, juggling, acrobatics and break dance. School children participated in a field trip to the CCC to see the circus and partake in other artisitc and musical activities.

Antipodist Comes to Assirk Assaghir

Some of you may be wondering what an antipodist is. An underground movement against iPods? An Italian appetizer? It is actually someone who juggles with his/her feet. As part of their research for a new performance they're working on, Emilia Tau, an antipodist, and Bertrand Depoortere, a photographer stayed for 1 week in Nablus. Emilia gave trainings in juggling with feet and hands for all groups of boys and girls. The Assirk Assaghir team wants to thank them for their work with the circus school and wish them good luck in the production of their show about culture and circus.

Student wins 1st place in nation-wide gymnastics contest

Abed, a 14 year-old circus student from Balata refugee camp participated in a gymnastics competition through his school and won the regionals to go on to win first place at nationals. He competed against other students from around Palestine. His routine mixed gymnastics with acrobatics and contortion. Although new to the circus, Abed has shown enthusiasm and a strong will to learn both acrobatics and other circus skills such as unicycle and juggling.

On behalf of the Assirk Assaghir team, we say "Congratulations!"

Juggling and Diabolo!

Two jugglers and diabolo experts from the Czech Republic gave a 3-day workshop at the Nablus Circus School. They worked with beginners in 3-ball juggling and advanced students in clubs, passing and diabolo. They performed a shortened version of a light show for the students at the end of the 3 days. This is the first of a series of workshops that will take place over the course o 3 years. New students were amazed at the trainers’ skills and advanced students gobbled up new tricks and moves. The jugglers left with the hope that they will see improvement when they return as students practice what they learned over the next few months.