Smells like circus 2026
Smells Like Circus pitches its tents in Ghent once again for its eighth edition from 21 to 24 January 2026. The festival, organised by VIERNULVIER and Miramiro, juggles with the boundaries of contemporary circus through breathtaking performances, but is more than that.
Circuscentrum presents a professional program with various opportunities for meetings between programmers and artists, as well as a robust reflection program aimed at professionals but open to anyone interested. We delve deeper into developments within the circus sector and encourage action.
This edition focuses on ‘speaking & writing about circus’: we present the in-depth publication Circus & Words, several artists and companies provide insight into their upcoming publications and envisioned projects, and in the debate Copycat/Copyright, we discuss copyright issues. Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast focuses on the documentary approach in circus. In collaboration with Huis van Alijn, we also organise a full-fledged Circus Wikithon and open the festival with the very first State of the Circus!
WEDNESDAY 21 January
8:30-10:00 - Six impossible things before breakfast (€) (ENGLISH)
Moderator: Eva Neklyaeva
Location: VIERNULVIER, Foyer Theaterzaal De Vooruit
13:00-16:00 - Focus France continues: réunion transfrontalière (FRENCH/DUTCH)
We’re crossing the border — figuratively speaking. Circuscentrum brings together circus practitioners from Flanders and several French regions, including Hauts-de-France and Grand Est, to explore new encounters and collaborations. Topics include collaboration tools such as Interreg Microprojects and the cultural cooperation agreement between Hauts-de-France and Flanders, complemented by inspiring practical examples and time for networking. Interested in interregional exchange with France? This is your chance! Read more about the program.
Speakers: Marnix Bonneke (DRAC Hauts-de-France), Mathilde Chassot (Région Hauts-de-France), Andries Clement (Departement Cultuur, Jeugd en Media), Interreg France-Wallonie-Vlaanderen | Microprojects (Steunpunt Vlaanderen), Philippe Macret (Cirque Jules Verne), Charlotte Charles-Heep (Chassepierre | Festival International des Arts de la Rue), Bram Coeman (kunstencentrum Buda) & Lotte Vrancken (detheatermaker), Romaric Daurier (Le Phénix |scène nationale Valenciennes), Virginie Demilier (Théâtre et Centre culturel de Namur), Quintijn Ketels (Side-Show), Pascal Lervant (De Grote Post), Régis Plaud (ONDA)...
Location: VIERNULVIER, Foyer Theaterzaal De Vooruit
18:00-19:00 - State of the circus (DUTCH)
Location: Minardschouwburg
19:00-20:00- Reception
Location: VIERNULVIER, Balzaal
20:00 - Smells Like Circus Festival (€)
THURSDAY 22 January
10:00 -12:30 - Circus & Words (ENGLISH/DUTCH)
Speakers: Valentina Barone (Aroundaboutcircus), Boegbeeld/Camille Paycha, Louise Buysschaert (Rode Boom), Wouter Hillaert (Pzazz), Liv Laveyne (Circuscentrum), Ana Lekše, Ruben Mardulier (Boegbeeld), Not Standing/Alexander Vantournhout, Kobe Van Herwegen en Elly Simoens (De Eenhoorn)
Moderator: Melissa Giardina
Location: VIERNULVIER, Foyer Theaterzaal De Vooruit
17:00 – 20:00 - Circus Wikithon: circus heritage (DUTCH)
How can we map the rich past and present of the circus in an accessible way? Together, we will work on creating and supplementing Wikipedia articles. We will collectively write and enrich Wikipedia with texts, images, and data.
On that day, we’ll work with circus heritage in Flanders, using, among other sources, the collection of Huis van Alijn.
Location: VIERNULVIER, Foyer Theaterzaal De Vooruit
19:00 - Smells Like Circus Festival (€)
FRIDAY 23 January
10:00 - 12:30: Info session project grants Circus Decree (ENGLISH)
Each year, Circuscentrum organises two info sessions and two writing workshops for anyone submitting applications for project grants under the Circus Decree: creation and dissemination of a circus production, organising a circus festival, international travel costs, and development-focused grants for individual artists.
In the morning, participants attend a comprehensive info session on these funding lines. In the afternoon, those who are more advanced in the artistic and administrative aspects of their application can join a writing workshop.
Location: VIERNULVIER, Foyer Theaterzaal De Vooruit
13:00 - 17:00 Writing workshop project grants Circus Decree (DUTCH/ENGLISH)
Each year, Circuscentrum organises two info sessions and two writing workshops for anyone submitting applications for project grants under the Circus Decree: creation and dissemination of a circus production, organising a circus festival, international travel costs, and development-focused grants for individual artists.
In the morning, participants attend a comprehensive info session on these funding lines. In the afternoon, those who are more advanced in the artistic and administrative aspects of their application can join a writing workshop.
Location: VIERNULVIER, Foyer Theaterzaal De Vooruit
10:00 - 17:00: Programmers' day (ENGLISH)
10:00 - 14:00 - Makers brunch (ENG)
The Makers Brunch is an inspiring networking moment during Smells Like Circus, where creators from the Miramiro workshop share their artistic work with (inter)national professionals in a relaxed and generous setting, with brunch and space for dialogue.
Limited capacity: 30 seats / only for programmers
Location: De Expeditie
14:00 - 17:00 - Conversation: The Art of Programming, Between Gatekeeping and Shared Space + informal exchange (ENG)
Programming is an art in itself, though it can sometimes feel like juggling the many questions and day-to-day practice. How can a safe and shared space be created within existing expertise and relationships, with attention to dynamics and sustainability?
Location: De Expeditie
17:00 – 20:00 - Circus Wikithon: the Flemish circus landscape (DUTCH)
How can we highlight the rich past and present of circus in an accessible way? Together, we’ll write and enrich Wikipedia articles with texts, images, and data.
On that day, we will showcase the thriving circus scene in Flanders, starting from the landscape mapping.
Location: VIERNULVIER, Foyer Theaterzaal De Vooruit
19:00 - Smells Like Circus Festival (€)
Order your tickets via VIERNULVIER website.
SATURDAY 24 January
10:00-12:30 - Copycat/Copyright (ENGLISH/DUTCH)
When is something ‘inspired by’ and when is it a copy? What is original, and when does it become a shared movement? Circus artists share their experiences and engage in a discussion with experts on plagiarism and copyright.
Speakers: Not Standing/Alexander Vantournhout, Dieter Missiaen (Compagnie Krak), Andrea Salustri (Sphere), Herman Croux ea.
Moderator: Filip Tielens (De Standaard)
Location: VIERNULVIER, Foyer Theaterzaal De Vooruit
14:00 – 17:00 - Circus Wikithon: circus companies (DUTCH)
How can we highlight the rich past and present of circus in an accessible way? Together, we’ll write and enrich Wikipedia articles with texts, images, and data.
On this day, we invite circus artists and companies to create or update their own Wiki pages with us.
Location: VIERNULVIER, Foyer Theaterzaal De Vooruit
19:00 - Smells Like Circus Festival (€)
Order your tickets via VIERNULVIER website.
Practical Information and Accessibility
Kunstencentrum VIERNULVIER
Address: Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 23, 9000 Gent. More info about accessibility.
Minard Schouwburg
Address: Korianderstraat 13, 9000 Gent. More info about accessibility.
De Expeditie
Address: Dok-Noord 4F 202 (De Expeditie), 9000 Gent. More info about accessibility.
Wintercircus
Address: Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 11, 9000 Gent.
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