African Internatonal Circus Festival

African Internatonal Circus Festival Africa's first international circus festival.

The festival will be used to launch the Circus Center, Entoto Park, a high-performance training facility & theatre of international standards at Entoto Park, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Welcome to the jury Bereket Tizazu Moko, the Founder & Artistic Director of Circus Jimma, which was established in 1992....
01/10/2021

Welcome to the jury Bereket Tizazu Moko, the Founder & Artistic Director of Circus Jimma, which was established in 1992.

Bereket served as board of directors for Circus in Ethiopia for 4 years and for 2 years on the board of directors for Jimma Red Cross.

Bereket served on the Artistic Committee for East Africa Umoja CFC (Cultural Flight Carpet) project for 8 years ans was president of Jimma Gymnastics Federation for 2 years.

The first Ethipian circus festival organised by Circus in Ethiopia, which 5 circuses came together to perform. The festival was held in Jimma and was hosted & organised by Ato Bereket (Circus Jimma).

He also hosted and organised Umoja CFC Festival, Ethiopia at Jimma, Mekele and Nazareth that held more than 100 artists from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Netherlands, Norway and Ethiopia.
He also built Circus Jimma Amphitheatre where they train and perform local audience.

Bereket holds an Advanced Diploma in Circus from Wuqiao, China.
Business Management Degree from Jimma University.
Theatre for Development certificate from CAMA ‘Carin Aspilond and Abate Mekuria’... affiliated with Ethiopia and Sweden Theatre.

Bereket took part in a short course held by Cirque du Soleil in South Africa with Zip Zap Social Circus Cape Town.

Awards
Winner of the Brown Festival, South Africa for the physical theatre show ''Shoe Shine Opera'' directed by Abate Mekuria and Bereket.

•Gold medal from Ethiopian President Girma Wolde-Giorgis for “Remarkable Contribution to Circus Youth in Ethiopia”.

•Received an Honorary Cup by Minister Aster Mano from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Currently Bereket is directing shows in Addis Ababa at Grove Garden Park. Many of his students have become well-known artists in Ethiopia, performing in many venues in different parts of the country and internationally.

Welcome to the jury Veneta Stefanova! Veneta is Artistic Director/Co-Director Stefani Art Agency, Europe's premier enter...
27/09/2021

Welcome to the jury Veneta Stefanova! Veneta is Artistic Director/Co-Director Stefani Art Agency, Europe's premier entertainment agency for circus artists. Veneta has decades of experience managing and providing award winning artists for small to large scale shows and events, such as dinner theatre, variete, contemporary and classical circuses under BigTop's or on the theatre stages. A member of the Bulgarian National team in Rhythmic Gymnastics and a Coach in Rhythmic

Gymnastics with the National Sports Academy of Bulgaria.
She went on to becoming an award winning international Circus performer, winning prizes at many well known circus festivals & performed in the world re-known Ringling Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Welcoming our Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson!Johnathan Lee Iverson, is an accomplished and history making showman who'...
25/09/2021

Welcoming our Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson!

Johnathan Lee Iverson, is an accomplished and history making showman who's been privileged to grace the most coveted stages and arenas, the worldover.

The youngest and first Black Ringmaster of the iconic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, which he served until its closing in 2017 making him the last ringmaster in the 146 year history of The Greatest Show On Earth, is renowned for his "powerful voice” and “superstar" presence, as well as, one of Barbara Walters 10 Most Fascinating People, but he is most proud of being a question on JEOPARDY® twice.

He began his journey as a member of The Boys Choir Of Harlem, he shared the spotlight with thelikes of LL Cool J, Spike Lee, Lena Horne, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Luciano Pavarotti, Roberta Flack, Placido Domingo, Tony Bennett and scores of other luminaries in the world of entertainment. He's kept company with statesmen such as the late South African President Nelson Mandela, Secretary of State, General Colin Powell and four US Presidents, including Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and William Jefferson Clinton.

Patrick Rosseel from France, is easily recognized by professionals as one of the best stage and artistic directors of ci...
25/09/2021

Patrick Rosseel from France, is easily recognized by professionals as one of the best stage and artistic directors of circus in the world, this French master of perfection has a kean eye for the thousand and one details that are necessary to elevate the acts on stage to deliver an artistic masterpiece to the audience.

Patrick will be our Stage and Lighting Director for the African International Circus Festival.

Patrick has an extensive history working for some of the world's leading shows, some of his impressive curriculum below:

•Worked for the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo for 10 years.
•Stuttgart Christmas Circus (Weltweihnachtscircus) for 25 years.
•Festival International del Circ Elephant D'Or Girona (Figueres) for 8 years.
•Festival International du Cirque de Grenoble for 8 Years.
•Festival International del Circo Ciudad de Albacete for 3 Years.
•Australian Circus Festival
•Schweizer National Circus Knie on tour for 24 years.
•Festival International de Massy for 5 years.

Patrick, we are honoured and delighted that you will join us!

Welcome to the jury Genís Matabosch from Spain. Genis has an International Degree in Administration and Conservation of ...
25/09/2021

Welcome to the jury Genís Matabosch from Spain.
Genis has an International Degree in Administration and Conservation of the Patrimony from the Patrimony National Institute in Paris and holds a Bachelor in Arts History.
Genis is well known around the globe for his passion and philanthropy in Circus Arts.

Genis obtained his doctorate in Circus History by the University of Barcelona.
He is president of Circus Arts Foundation based in Besalú (Girona).

Genis is the director of one of the world's most prestigious circus festivals, the International Circus Festival "Golden Elephant" in Girona, Spain, which is known for its high level circus acts and multiple circus activities surrounding the festival, including the Circus World Expo, a trade expo dedicated to circus arts.

Genis also directs the Great Christmas Show also based in Girona and Circusland, the International Palace of Circus, Besalu, Spain, which has grown to become the world's largest museum and archives of circus artefacts.

Welcome to the jury Pavel Kotov, Senior Casting Director of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, Pavel Kotov is a forme...
24/09/2021

Welcome to the jury Pavel Kotov, Senior Casting Director of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, Pavel Kotov is a former Russian National Team world-class acrobatic gymnastics athlete and Judge for the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

He held a number of positions in Public Relations and Marketing in the industry of sports and fitness, and also performed in the Russian Bars act of the Great Moscow State Circus.

Pavel was invited to join the Casting Team of Cirque du Soleil in Montreal, Canada in 2004, and currently holding the title of the Senior Casting Director, he is responsible for recruiting and casting of artists for all new creations and existing shows of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.

Welcome to the jury Maria Teresa Chirinos Versace!Founder and CEO of Prodartes Perú S.A.C. with more than 25 years dedic...
24/09/2021

Welcome to the jury Maria Teresa Chirinos Versace!

Founder and CEO of Prodartes Perú S.A.C. with more than 25 years dedicated to managing high-level international cultural shows, promoting different genres such as classical dance, folk dance, theater, classical music, folk music and circus.

Her most recognized circus production is "Gran Circo de Rusia" - this show is renewed every year with different acts and artists of the main circuses of Russia, being one of the circus projects with greatest prestige and growth in Latin America.

This project began 10 years ago in the city of Lima-Peru and currently travels for more than 10 cities in Peru and more than 25 cities in South America. This event is enabled by the Ministry of Culture in Peru and also supported by the Russian Embassy.

The African International Circus Festival's home will be the Circus Center, Entoto Park. A stunning cultural precinct in...
23/09/2021

The African International Circus Festival's home will be the Circus Center, Entoto Park. A stunning cultural precinct in a large national park within easy access of the capital, Addis Ababa.
The Circus Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is already well on the way with the build, which will feature a 500 seat performance venue based on a unique design concept which merges traditional Ethiopian architecture with the classic European cabaret venues known as Spiegeltents. It will also house a community training center, a place where School children will be offered free workshops.

This enterprise will be a critical first step to providing an ongoing source of income and funding for the initial set up of the Circus Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
It will continue long term as an adjunct facility, providing additional employment for the young people involved.

Follow our page for the Circus Center here: https://www.facebook.com/circuscenteraddisababa/ or visit our website: www.circusethiopia.org

Stay tuned this week, more to be announced soon!
23/09/2021

Stay tuned this week, more to be announced soon!

Meet our Founding Director Sosina Wogayehu!"My dream is to provide opportunities for the young people of Ethiopia and Af...
23/09/2021

Meet our Founding Director Sosina Wogayehu!

"My dream is to provide opportunities for the young people of Ethiopia and Africa, to bring their talents to our community, and the rest of the world. To give them a chance to express their emotions, their experiences, and their worlds through the contemporary arts of dance, circus and theatre. I have the conviction that with my history, my experience and my networks throughout the world, I can contribute to this dimension of Ethio-African contemporary arts and create a leading organization in Ethiopia."

Sosina grew up in Addis Ababa as a child performer with Circus Ethiopia. After travelling the world with the troupe, she moved to Australia, and graduated from Melbourne’s National Institute of Circus Arts. She was immediately selected to feature as a performer with Circus Oz, and she went on to tour globally with this and many other major companies. During this time, she also won several prestigious awards, and made ongoing links with an international network of performers, directors, teachers and agents.

On returning to Addis Ababa, Sosina successfully established two organisations, Gamo Circus, and Ethio Circus Entertainment. Gamo Circus combines social circus and circus skills training to provide opportunities for young people to develop confidence, a strong sense of community and cultural pride. Many of her students also choose a professional career in circus. For those who do, Sosina’s Ethio Circus Entertainment ensures they are able to perform with leading companies throughout the world.

Positions held:

CEO Ethio Circus Entertainment P.L.C

Founding Director The Circus Center President

President Addis Ababa Gymnastics Federation

Board of Directors, Addis Ababa Diaspora Association

Awards:

2019 The Order of Australia OAM

2016 Australian Circus Industry Awards, International Philanthropy Award

2013 The Most Influential African Australian of the Year

2011 Nominee for Helpmann Awards: The performance of Carnival of Mysteries

2007 Nominee for Australian of the Year Award

2004 Finalist for Young Australian of the Year Award (Victoria)

2003 Circus Princess People's Choice Award (Stockholm)

Meet our Co-Producer Jasmine Straga (AUSTRALIA)! ...
23/09/2021

Meet our Co-Producer Jasmine Straga (AUSTRALIA)! Jasmine sits on the Board of Directors of the Federation Mondiale du Cirque (World Circus Federation). She is Founding Director & Producer of the Australian Circus Festival & J.S. Creations.

Jasmine has been closely involved with the Ethiopian Circus Industry since 2008 running workshops, creative direction and mentoring for young Ethiopian artists.

As a child she studied dancing, gymnastics and drama at the McDonald College of Performing Arts and went onto training in circus arts and toured the world as a contortionist, acrobat, aerialist and dancer with classical and contemporary circus companies.

Jasmine opened Gala Entertainment Management in San Diego in 2005, which quickly grew to one of the world’s largest entertainment agencies for circus, dancers and musicians. She also directed the Australian Institute of Circus Arts and Coffs Harbour PCYC Rhythmic Gymnastics Club from 2007-2010.

She then made a move to Asia for 5 years, where she Co-Directed R Empire & Gala Entertainment in Macau and Singapore, where she created shows, events and contracted artists for Macau and Singapore's leading casinos. She became Talent & PR Manager and was involved in service operations for Asia's largest entertainment & nightlife company LifeBrandz PTE LTD/Cannery Leisure.

Jasmine has sat as a jury member for 13yrs at International circus competitions in France, China, Russia, Spain, and Belarus. She is now based in Sydney, Australia creating bespoke acts for Europe's leading circuses, varieties and cabarets with her company J.S. Creations and was nominated for best choreographer/creative director at the International Circus Masters Awards in Sochi, Russia 2015. Her act creations have gone onto winning awards in France, Russia, Spain, China, Japan, Italy, Monte Carlo and Belarus.

A member of the steering committee and founding member of the Federation Mondiale du Cirque's "Global Alliance of Circus Schools", a federation networking with schools across all continents to create more performance opportunities for young artists. Jasmine's passion to protect the intangible heritage of classical circus she presents at many global conferences advocating and raising awareness for the Australian Circus Industry.

Address

Equatorial Guinea Street, Hayahulet Mazoria Deham Building, 4th Floor
Addis Ababa

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