Australian experts help young people and adults create circus that moves the heart, mind and soul

Circa, a unique Australian circus company which has toured to 24 countries across five continents has just completed training workshops for young people and adults in Vietnam. With support from the Australian Government, two circus trainers and one cultural advisor/interpreter have delivered workshops at the charity organisations Blue Dragon in Hanoi and Maison Chance in HCMC.

Australian Consul General John McAnulty, who attended a circus performance by some of the young workshop participants, said: ‘All participants have learnt valuable life skills through the circus program such as team work, trust and self-confidence. Circa has provided a wonderful opportunity for those who are lucky enough to have participated in these workshops’.

The Circa Training Centre provides workshops for all people with all abilities, creating circus that moves the heart, mind and soul. For children who already had some experience of circus activities, the workshops allowed them to advance their skills including tumbling, acrobalance, and hula hoops. For adults who use wheelchairs, learning to juggle and to spin plates was a brand new experience.

Ms To Thi Huong Giang, Program Manager of Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation for kids in crisis throughout Vietnam, said ‘The kids have learned so much from the experience, and it’s brought a lot of laughter and joy’.

Circa believes that circus is a rich artistic territory that can deeply touch audiences and participants. The workshops have been very successful, with Circa being invited to return to Vietnam again in 2014.

This event forms part of the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam in 2013. Project funding is provided by the Australian International Cultural Council (AICC) through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

For further information, please contact:
Ms Cat Le, Economic and Trade Officer, Australian Consulate-General
Tel: + 84 8 3521 8126
Email: [email protected]