The hands are out, the tents put away: Festival Circolo 2025 is over. The 13th edition of the contemporary circus festival attracted over 10,000 visitors to Tilburg in ten days. With sold-out tents, rave reviews and several audience favourites, the festival looks back on a special edition.
For ten days, the Spoorpark turned into a lively circus village, where performers from home and abroad provided surprising, moving and breathtaking performances. Les Dodos became a crowd favourite with seven shows, five of which were completely sold out. Júlia Campistany was also allowed to attend her Dutch premiere of the performance Cirquemétrage hanging out the ‘sold out’ sign four times. At the Theatre Concert Hall stole Les Rois Vagabonds hearts with their poetic mix of clownery and classical music. In total, Festival Circolo presented 52 performances, 11 of which were free to enter.
“Festival Circolo has touched me in so many ways over all these years,” says outgoing director Marc Eysink Smeets. “And this year was no exception. It remains special to see how people, stories and imagination come together here. Circolo is more than a festival, it is ten days of a small world where the best of people come together.”
Photos: Jostijn Ligtvoet
During the opening day, Marc Eysink Smeets, involved since 2007 and director since 2012, was awarded the Tilburg Trophy for his years of commitment to the festival and circus arts. Astrid Cats takes over from him as the new festival director. “My first year as director was immediately one to remember,” says Astrid Cats. “I saw everything and feasted my eyes. From full tents at the big international companies to the warm welcome for new creators, it's great to see how curious and open audiences are to what circus has to offer today.”
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