Le Monde du Cirque: the 2010 Guest of Honour

The circus is in town! Visitors to the Fêtes, young and old, will be treated to a bold, enchanting spectacle hailing from a long tradition of dazzlement and magic

Come see the performers, musicians and clowns in a unique setting: the site of the fountain of the Jardin Anglais as you will never see it again, draped in the huge red big top of the Circus Pajazzo, well-known in Geneva as the Christmas Circus. As Léon Meynet, a member of the Organizing Committee of the Geneva Festival points out, “We are taking advantage of the restoration of the 19th century monument to install our guest of honour in its place.” Entirely unobstructed by pillars, the tent being supported by an arching metal frame, the wide open space will house a bar and restaurant as well as the ring, for an impressive series of acts handpicked from among the best by Harry van Gool, the talented director of a circus that has been lining up successes for the past twenty years. This promises to be a vintage year! Clowns, dancers, jugglers and tightrope walkers will give four to five thrilling shows each day, including two or three matinees specially concocted for the kids, who are also invited to take part, every afternoon from 3pm to 7pm, in various free activities: an introductory lesson in trapeze, how to balance on a ball, or the art of clown make-up. With a festive lineup of attractions and surprise guests there’s sure to be a joyful ambience under the big top!

Super Bobonne and her hula hoops

The crazy antics of Super Bobonne, aka Magdalena van Gool, with her apron, kitschy socks, large spectacles and sidekicks Harry and Steven, never let up. But this young Romanian descendant of a long line of circus performers has more than one trick up her sleeve – not only is she funny, she’s also a contortionist and acrobat and does some spectacular numbers with hula hoops. Young and old alike will be delighted by a talent that combines dance, theatre and circus performance in the Russian tradition.

Duo Handzup, hand to hand

These gifted French acrobats present a hand to hand balancing act set to alternating slow and rapid music rhythms, their strength and flexibility masterfully combined in a seamless performance reminiscent of contemporary dance.

Jemile Martinez, juggler

The young English performer is not just a first rate juggler with a busy schedule of appearances in Europe and the United States. Because of his passion for soccer, he’s also the most amazing ball juggler. To the circus born – his mother a trapeze artist, his father an acrobat, grand-parents both dancers and acrobats – he brings a new dynamic to a traditional field with his unique blend of grace and agility, energy and sensitivity, giving a nod to the Mundial with extra time for some entertaining ball handling.

Russian dancers

By turns Folies Bergère-style showgirls, temptresses in a contemporary version of the Thousand and One Nights, or hot-blooded cowgirls, the four superb Imperial Show dancers will charm you to lively music hall tunes.

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