Conference programme

Keynote speakers

Ph. Alessandro Villa

Gaia Vimercati

Queering the Leadership in circus: what do we need? What can we achieve?

Franziska Trapp

“I believe I can fly” “I believe she could fall”. Contemporary Circus Dramaturgy and the Perception of Risk.

Safety in Flanders

The Flemish circus sector has been on a transformative journey focusing on safety in all its dimensions.

RR photos

Creating Safer Spaces: a session for (circus festival) organisers

Discover four stories on how organisers go about creating safer spaces for their audiences and engage in a round table conversation.

Joe Alvoeiro

Monitoring the health and wellbeing of circus artists by Marion Cossin (CRITAC) and Janine Stubbe (Codarts)

Discover the added value of health monitoring in circus.

Poster gallery walk

In this session about 10 posters with good practices will be exhibited. Participants will be able to engage during 2 hours with the different speakers

Olivier Rinchard

Self Defense workshop, led by Plan SACHA

If you'd like to learn how to defend yourself verbally when facing sexist and sexual harassment, this workshop is for you!

FEDEC

In riggers’ shoes by Jan Naets and Noé Robert (full)

In this workshop you will be immersed in the daily work of a rigger. Guided by expert riggers, participants will be divided in groups

Inkeri Jäntti

Creative Rigging in Circus by Saar Rombout (full)

Learn how to translate your artistic idea into a rigging design.

ENGAGEMENT ARTS

‘Flag System’ – a tool for assessing transgressive behaviour by Engagement Arts

The flag system is a practical tool to make the complex conversation about boundaries easier. We do not avoid the gut feeling, but we look for a way t

Sofi Häkkinen

First step into mental safe(r) spaces on stage and beyond it: recognizing danger and speaking up ! by Miradonna Sirkka and Amanda Homa

Circus artists share the experience of being physically held by others. They are trained to trust their bases, to collaborate physically, and to alway

Kasper Mols

Trauma-informed approach by Mieke Gielen

An effort to provide a safe, inclusive, nonjudgmental environment by understanding how trauma affects our behavior.

Kasper Mols

Prevention, first aid and rehab for acute soft tissue injury by by Inne, Kriz and Wim

Discover the PEACE and LOVE guidelines for the different phases before and after soft tissue injury.

Consent in Practice: Tools & Benefits by Madonna Lenaert & guests

Get a wider understanding of consent and the different conditions that could be necessary for working with consent.

RIGGERS Closing Event by SKH and FEDEC

Discover the results of RIGGERS project (React, Invent, Get together for a Goal: Expertise in Rigging Services)

Physical ways to improve your mental vitality by Bjorn Fierens

Breathing is literally life. It’s the first thing we do when we’re born, and it’s the last thing we’ll do before leaving this planet. But perhaps we u

Wednesday 10 April 2024

Venue: STORMKOP (Droogdokkenweg 4, 2030 Antwerp) from 15h onwards

09h15-13h	Pre-conference meetings (by invitation)
15h-17h	Arrival and welcome of the delegates
17h-19h30	Join us for an inspiring evening at the opening of the conference. Your host of the evening will be Dorien Leyers. The opening night features keynote speakers Franziska Trapp and Gaia Vimercati and a presentation of the Flemish project on safety. Franziska Trapp “I believe I can fly” “I believe she could fall”. Contemporary Circus Dramaturgy and the Perception of Risk. Safety in Flanders Gaia Vimercati 'Queering the Leadership in circus: what do we need? What can we achieve?' We are honored to welcome Minister-President Jan Jambon to our opening night.
19h30-...	Opening reception with drinks & bites

Thursday 11 April 2024

Venue: AP University of Applied Sciences (Noorderplaats 2, 2000 Antwerp)

9h - 9h30	Walk-in with coffee
9h30-9h45	Welcome
10h - 12h	Workshops (make your choice) Creative Rigging in Circus by Saar Rombout (full) ‘Flag System’ – a tool for assessing transgressive behaviour by ENGAGEMENT ARTS Prevention, first aid and rehab for acute soft tissue injury: The Circus Way by Inne, Kriz and Wim Trauma-informed approach by Mieke Gielen
12h-13h	Lunch
13h15-14h45	Workshops (make your choice) RIGGERS Closing Event by SKH and FEDEC Consent in Practice: Tools & Benefits by Madonna Lenaert Creating Safer Spaces: a workshop for (circus festival) organizers Monitoring the health and wellbeing of circus artists by Marion Cossin (CRITAC) and Janine Stubbe (Codarts)
15h-16h30	Closing panel 'On safety and risk-taking'
17h-18h	Grand public opening MAD Festival (MAD Festival site, Asiadok-Westkaai, 2030 Antwerp) Be surprised by an abundance of circus and musical flash performances to officially open MAD Festival with a bang!
18h-...	MAD Festival programme: don't miss the shows on the opening night of the festival! More info on MAD Festival website. Tickets to shows are not included in the conference fee. As a professional you can enjoy a sector discount for which you will need to request an accredition by registering as a professional via MAD Festival website. 18h-19h Circumstances - 'Glorious Bodies \| MAD Festival Site - red and white tent 19h30-21h Circus Ronaldo - 'Da Capo' \| MAD Festival Site - white tent 21h15-22h25 Circa - 'Humans 2.0' \| MAD Festival Site - burgundy tent

Friday 12 April 2024