The young circus artist Kimberley Giribaldi Raluy, member of Historical Raluy Circus, has been in charge of writing the manifesto of the World Circus Day 2023 for the APCC (Association of Professionals of the Circ of Catalonia). In his writing, Kimberley highlights the importance of circus art, underlines the constant effort of its professionals, and calls for the unity of the sector to achieve greater recognition by the public, administrations and other cultural sectors.
At only 25 years old, Kimberley represents the fourth generation of the Raluy family. In the Circ Històric Raluy, she participates as a porter in the discipline of icarian games Plans Raluy Sisters, with whom he also performs aerial ribbon shows. In addition, he has his own number of Flying Pole.
The APCC encourages you to read this manifesto at all the commemorative events of World Circus Day, which are detailed in this Agenda, which includes more than 50 activities throughout the territory until April 23.
The manifesto not only highlights the importance of the circus and its professionals, but also recognizes the hard work involved in their training and daily performance. He calls for this performing art to receive the recognition it deserves in all aspects, and points out that to achieve this, the unity of those who dedicate themselves to the circus is essential.
Text of the APCC World Circus Day 2023 manifesto
Happy World Circus Day! Today we celebrate the oldest of the performing arts, today we celebrate my world, my life... I am celebrating it in the best way! Performing for the Vendrellense public.
The circus is passion, dedication, strength, love, art... the circus is life. Those who dedicate themselves to this profession know it and feel it.
I still wonder...
What is the reason why the circus is not recognized?
What should we still do to make ourselves heard, heard, so that they value us properly...?
A circus artist is not born, a circus artist is created! With study, with imagination, with passion and love for that art that pushes us to create ourselves as such. And with many, many hours of training and rehearsal. Many. Like any other profession, right?
And why is there no way to prove who we are? How have we been formed? Where have we done it? What do we do?
In the times we find ourselves in, is it normal not to be recognized as professionals?
We get to where we get by sweating, falling, hurting ourselves physically and morally to become who we are, to look back and feel that everything we have been through has been worth it, and that all these fatigues, falls and injuries have led us to be who we are… CIRCUS ARTISTS.
We are people, professionals who, thanks to our sacrifices, heal other people: with laughter, surprises, emotions... Yes, the circus "heals."
Still don't know who we are?
I want to thank the public, those who applaud us and like these minutes that we dedicate to them. Thank you for following us, because it is thanks to all of you that we continue... You are our strength and our motive.
With all these questions I have reached my conclusion:
We define ourselves as a team and an important sector. But maybe we still have to do better...
Perhaps those of us who are dedicated to the circus have a part of the responsibility and it is we ourselves who have settled for living in this situation, in which the circus is not sufficiently valued or respected.
We are many, but not so many, we are a small, large family of professionals and we share the same passion and the same needs...
If we talk, if we look each other in the eyes, if we decide to be accompanied instead of going alone, if we choose to share the path, we help each other, we unite and we believe in it and we join together to move forward, then society, the institutions, the public …they will listen to us.
Let's love each other like we love the circus, let's value ourselves how we want to be valued and let's do it together. And together we will be able to define ourselves and be understood and valued. By changing the mentality we will be able to change how we are seen and that everyone will see the circus as a great art. Yes, the greatest!
Long live the Circus!
What is World Circus Day
El world circus day is a global celebration dedicated to promoting circus culture and recognizing the importance of the circus in art and entertainment. This day seeks to highlight both the history of the circus and its contemporary relevance, promoting activities and events that bring the public closer to this art form.
The celebration was established in 2010 by the World Circus Federation (Fédération Mondiale du Cirque), with the aim of uniting the international circus community and increasing the visibility of circus in all its forms, from traditional shows to modern innovations. It is celebrated on the third Saturday of April each year, and since its inception it has grown in popularity, with participation in numerous countries around the world. This day is an opportunity to appreciate the diversity and talent that characterize the circus.
You can consult more information about this celebration in our monographic content: world circus day.
