Reus once again becomes the nerve center of the circus world with the arrival of a new edition of Trapezi! This year the International Circus Fair of Catalonia, Trapezi, will once again meet the public in the capital of Baix Camp from May 14 to 18, celebrating its 29th edition.

"In this new edition, Trapezi continues to be a festival that not only shows the best of circus, but also reflects on the structural difficulties that artists face. This year, with advances in gender equality, the vindication of the role of mother artists and the promotion of new formats such as tents, we reaffirm our commitment to innovation and the strengthening of the circus market in all its dimensions", affirm Alba Sarraute and Cristina Cazorla, co-directors of the Trapezi Fair.

The new edition of the Trapezi Fair will offer a program for all audiences that aims to be a reflection of the talent of today's contemporary circus and that includes more than sixty performances in different parts of the city of Reus, and where national, state and international companies will participate without forgetting special support for local talent.

In addition, Trapezi participates in the II Promotion plan for the Catalan circus 2023-2026, promoted by the Department of Culture and drawn up jointly with the main agents in the sector, which consists of 15 measures that will be developed over the next 4 years.

The poster for this 29th edition was created by the illustrator born in Reus, Cèlia Grifoll Constantí.

The program of the 29th edition

The Trapezi Fair becomes the perfect showcase to show the best talent in contemporary circus today, with spaces for creation and screening of meetings that invite reflection, debate and dialogue between the professions between programmers, artists and the public. A fair already consolidated and recognized as the Fair par excellence for the best circus shows.

Apart from international artists coming from different corners of Europe such as France or Belgium and the presence of Catalan companies, there will also be presence from various autonomous communities of the state such as Andalusia, Madrid, the Balearic Islands, Asturias, Murcia and the Basque Country.

The opening of the Fair will take place on Wednesday, May 14 at 17:00 pm at Cal Massó and will be led by the directors and the different representatives of the institutions, accompanied by a very special show by Tripotes la compagnie.

A highlight of this year is the collaboration with Quebec, with 2 showcases and several pitchings consolidating Trapezi as an international window for circus. The collaboration with this country reinforces Trapezi's vision of being a global showcase, where artists and companies from different parts of the world can show their work.

Another novelty of this edition is the opening of a third hall, the Sala Santa Llúcia, which completes the stage offer of the Teatre Bartrina and the Teatre Fortuny. This will have 300 new seats. In addition, two tents will be installed in the Parc de la Festa to offer the public an immersive and unique experience. Although in other countries tents are an essential part of circus festivals, here they still represent a logistical challenge. Trapezi will continue to bet on this format, convinced of its potential to transform the festival into an unforgettable experience.

In addition, for the first time in the history of the festival, the programming has achieved gender balance, with 49 women and 45 men among the participating artists.

This year, the program will feature international headliners, such as the company Cie Bêtes de Foire with its show Décrochez-moi-ça, Cirque Pardi with its proposal Low Cost Paradise, which will premiere in the Parc de la Festa tent, or Les Filles du Rard Palle who will surprise the audience with the show La Rueda Giratòria.

As for Catalan circus, the world premiere of Tenet, a new group of acrobatic goalies, stands out, which will be the inaugural show at Plaça Mercadal. The Pepa Plana company also stands out, with a highly anticipated premiere at the Teatre Fortuny. On the other hand, the Carpe Diem company will be responsible for the activities for school children. Within the national scene, companies such as the Nueveuno circus company with Todo lo posible, Puntocero with Mahmut and Xampatito with the premiere of Compaña stand out.

It is also worth highlighting the presence of nine shows by Catalan or state artists who have developed their careers outside our borders. This underlines the need to generate a local market that facilitates their return and recognition, allowing the public and programmers to value their work here. Trapezi continues to be committed to being a bridge between artists and their homeland. 

Trapezi Days Pro Catalan Arts

Like every year, Trapezi organizes the Trapezi Pro Catalan Arts Conference, a meeting point for the sector to foster links and partnerships between professionals and entities in the world of circus, promote artistic work, present current creations and propose possible collaborations.

In this way, within the framework of the Professional Area, several sessions have been organized that this year will emphasize creating gears between all the phases of the circus: from the process of creating a show to the exhibition. Also, in the different stages and vital moments of the artist: from training to retirement. Thinking activities, speed meetings, a showcase and finally the now traditional Pro Catalan Arts lunch will be carried out.

The “Trapezi Pro Catalan Arts” professional conferences will be held in person on May 14,15, 16 and XNUMX.

In addition, from July 7 to 10 this year, within the framework of the Marché International de Cirque Contemporain (MICC) there will be a Catalan focus highlighting Trapezi's collaboration with Quebec. Produced by La TOHU, the MICC is a meeting aimed at the global community of professionals dedicated to the creation, presentation and touring of contemporary circus in North America and around the world.

Within the framework of the exchange between the strategic market Trapezi and the MICC, there will be pitchings from Catalan circus companies, a showcase and a networking activity to connect the Catalan delegation with international programmers.

Trapezi, head of measurement of Circus Municipalities

Over the next few years Trapezi is head of the Circus Municipalities measure, of the II Circus Promotion Plan of Catalonia 2023-2026. This measure aims to raise awareness among those responsible for programming in various municipalities in Catalonia so that they increase circus programming within their stable programming or are able to generate new exhibition circuits.

The II Plan for the Promotion of the Circus of Catalonia 2023 2026 is an initiative of the Department of Culture of the Generalitat of Catalonia and the Association of Circus Professionals of Catalonia (APCC) which has the collaboration of the Institut Ramon Llull, the Ateneu Popular 9 Barris, the Center for the Arts of the Circus Rogelio Rivel, Encirca't, the Association for Circus Training of Catalonia (AFOCC), Fira Trapezi - Reus City Council, La Central del Circ, the Mercat de les Flors and the complicity of various municipalities, entities and scenic facilities in Catalonia.

This Plan consists of fifteen specific measures that aim to promote creation, production and exhibition, generate circuits and guarantee the presence of the circus in its diversity throughout the territory, strengthen companies in the sector, stimulate research and investigation and take advantage of the attraction and social, transformative, educational and communicative impact of the circus.