Festival Circolo 2020 cannot go ahead. The festival was due to take place in Tilburg from 16 to 25 October. No tents in the Leijpark and no Dangerous Return. The Corona virus proved too dangerous to be allowed to welcome audiences in the circus tents.
In recent weeks, infection rates in the Netherlands have soared. On Monday 28 September, the government tightened corona rules in the Netherlands. From 29 September 2020, no more than 30 people will be allowed to gather in one room together. Given these restrictive regulations, it will be impossible for us to allow Festival Circolo to go ahead. The chances of getting a waiver are minimal and the organisers find it socially difficult to explain putting up circus tents for some 250 people next week, well coronaproof, while many theatres and venues are restricted and people in private are only allowed to host four guests. In addition, the red-coloured situation in the Netherlands makes it more difficult for foreign artists to come to the Netherlands.
Director Marc Eysink Smeets: "Very sad that we have to cancel just before the start. The painful thing is that only last week we received many compliments from the municipality of Tilburg for our approach, the layout of the grounds and tents and application of all corona measures. Just before the finish line, however, we were pawed by the nasty virus.
Disappointing for our suppliers who were incredibly looking forward to building another festival and a tragedy for the artists who were eager to finally hit the stage again.
In our programme, we had a lot of room for recent graduates of the Fontys School of the Arts. Not only from the circus course, but also from other performing arts disciplines. They are now seeing a presentation moment pass them by for the second time. Dramatic like that at the start of your professional career."
Councillor Rolph Dols - Municipality of Tilburg: "A difficult but also very understandable choice by the organisation that I, as alderman for Events and Health, appreciate and fully support.
Of course, the loss of this event that is familiar to Tilburg is a big loss. For the visitors who looked forward to it but especially for all those involved in its creation, this is a hard blow. Hopefully this beautiful Festival can still be continued in the (near) future."
Ticket buyers will soon receive an email about the handling of their purchased tickets.
The festival is scrambling to find ways to still present parts of the programme in the short term. This is an exciting puzzle because it is not clear how long the restrictive measures will remain in place or perhaps be extended.
The festival will remain in talks with the companies, suppliers, volunteers and partners in the coming weeks to look for a possible relaunch.
Festival Circolo
Festival Circolo is the largest circus festival in the Netherlands. During the autumn holidays, dozens of artists and companies from the world of modern circus theatre descend on Tilburg's Leijpark. www.festivalcircolo.nl
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