The Roots of New Circus in the World and Here
New circus, also known as "cirque contemporain" (contemporary circus), has its roots in France and Canada. The first experiments date back to the 1970s when artists began to seek new ways to combine traditional circus skills with theatrical storytelling. One of the pioneers was the French troupe Cirque Plume, which started creating performances full of poetry and humor. Similarly, in Canada in the 1980s, the now world-famous Cirque du Soleil emerged, giving new circus a global dimension and defining its further direction. In the Czech Republic, new circus experienced its greatest bloom around 2009 and has been enjoying steadily growing popularity since then. Among the most well-known troupes are Cirk La Putyka and Losers Cirque Company.
Breathtaking Performances with a Deeper Message
New circus is not just a continuation of traditional circus; it is a complete reinterpretation. It combines movement, music, emotions, and storytelling into a unique form that attracts audiences from all over the world. The cornerstone is human creativity. Artists use acrobatic skills, juggling, dance, and movement theater to tell stories or create visual and emotional experiences. In building the atmosphere, costumes, music, lighting, and the overall stage play a key role. One of the most striking differences between traditional and new circus is the exclusion of animal training. This step was motivated not only by technical and practical reasons but primarily by ethical questions. Contemporary creators consider human creativity to be rich and diverse enough to replace the previously common animal acts. And it is this approach that defines new circus as such. The goal of the performances is not only to entertain the audience but often contains deeper messages. Common themes include ecology, human rights, and other pressing issues of the contemporary world.
Cirque du Soleil, a Symbol of Global Success
If new circus is a symbol of modern art, then Cirque du Soleil is its most significant representative. This Canadian troupe, founded in 1984 by former street performers Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gauthier, is now synonymous with innovation and world-class quality. Cirque du Soleil transformed circus art into an international business and produced dozens of performances that attracted millions of spectators on all continents. Its productions such as "O," "KÀ," "Alegría," or “KURIOS” are characterized by spectacular acrobatics, precise choreography, and elaborate scenography. And despite its global success, it has managed to retain all of its core artistic values.
KURIOS Cabinet of Curiosities Debuts in Prague Under the Big Top
In 2025, Cirque du Soleil will bring one of its critically acclaimed performances, KURIOS - Cabinet of Curiosities, to Prague. The first public performance will take place on September 3, 2025, and KURIOS will be on display until October 12, 2025. KURIOS will take place in a huge tent specially created for Cirque du Soleil performances. For the first time in the Czech Republic, it will be possible to witness the breathtaking art of Cirque du Soleil under the iconic big top, which accommodates 2,500 spectators. Visitors will enter the unique world of KURIOS and experience a show that celebrates imagination in an unparalleled environment.
The Experience of “KURIOS” Like No Other
The performance is a combination of captivating acrobatics with a refreshing touch of poetry, art, and humor. You will enter a unique world inspired by steampunk, where your dreams come to life. Welcome to an alternative universe where wonders await those who trust their imagination. Peek into the mechanical laboratory of an inventor, where everything has its fixed order. One day, characters from another world will enter this predetermined system, turning the inventor's concept completely upside down. His creations begin to come alive before his eyes. Once the doors to this realm of wonders are unlocked, time comes to a complete stop. The visible becomes invisible, and perspectives shift; KURIOS erupts in a celebration of the power of imagination. The KURIOS performance premiered in Montreal in 2014. It has already been admired by more than 6 million spectators in 35 cities around the world. The troupe has performed over 3,000 shows.
