Smells like circus 2026

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Smells Like Circus pitched its tents in Ghent once again for its eighth edition from 21 to 24 January 2026. The festival, organised by VIERNULVIER and Miramiro, juggled with the boundaries of contemporary circus through breathtaking performances, but is more than that.

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Circuscentrum presented 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 delved deeper into developments within the circus sector and encouraged action.

This edition focused on ‘speaking & writing about circus’: we presented the in-depth publication Circus & Words, several artists and companies provided insight into their upcoming publications and envisioned projects, and in the debate Copycat/Copyright, we discussed copyright issues. Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast focused on the documentary approach in circus. In collaboration with Huis van Alijn, we also organised a Circus Wikithon and opened the festival with the very first State of the Circus!

Read the State of the circus and the Circus & Words publication below

The pro-program in pictures

PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM

  • Discover the full pro-program below
  • Participation in the professional programme is free of charge
  • Registration was open until 18 January 2026
  • Tickets for performances are available through VIERNULVIER and Miramiro.
  • Exception: for the (school) performances (Souvenir Shop), a limited number of tickets are available for programmers via the registration form.
  • For professionals, a festival pass is available for €50, granting access to all performances

WEDNESDAY 21 January

8:30-10:00 - Six impossible things before breakfast (€) (ENGLISH)

As your brain slowly awakens, we’ll serve breakfast and coffee. We’ll talk about the use of documentary in circus: real stories on stage. Better set your alarm!

  • Moderator: Eva Neklyaeva

  • Location: VIERNULVIER bar

13:00-16:00 - FULL - 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 and discover the presentation.

  • Speakers: Marnix Bonnike (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)

With the ‘State of the Circus’, the Flemish circus sector makes its voice heard. What’s happening, what’s thriving, what’s alive and in motion? Expect a passionate address from the circus sector. Flemish Minister of Culture Caroline Gennez and Ghent alderman Astrid De Bruycker will also be speaking.

  • Location: Minardschouwburg

19:00-20:00- Reception

After the State of Circus, conversations will flow over drinks - also serving as the perfect New Year’s reception for the Flemish circus sector!

  • Location: VIERNULVIER, Balzaal

20:00 - Smells Like Circus Festival (€)

Order your tickets via VIERNULVIER website.

THURSDAY 22 January

10:00 -12:30 - Circus & Words (ENGLISH/DUTCH)

On Thursday, we will present the in-depth publication Circus & Word. Several artists and companies will give a pecha kucha presentation on existing and future publications and dreamt visions, and we will invite publishers to join us at the table. Those who write remain!

  • 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) and Sam De Graeve (Borgerhoff & Lamberigts)

  • Moderators: Noemi De Clercq and 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. Who would like to contribute and help put circus in Flanders on the online map?

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 (€)

Order your tickets via VIERNULVIER website.

FRIDAY 23 January

On Friday, you can choose between two tracks. If you plan to submit an application under the Circus Decree funding lines, you can join an info session and writing workshop on project grants. If you are a programmer, you can register for the Programmers’ Day.

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 - FULL 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. Who would like to contribute and help put the circus in Flanders on the online map?

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: artists Alexander Vantournhout (Not Standing), Dieter Missiaen (Compagnie Krak), Andrea Salustri (circus artist and part of the commons initiative The Sphere), lawyer and intellectual property expert Herman Croux (MVVP), Lara Leo (copyright association deAuteurs)

  • 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. Who would like to contribute and help put the circus in Flanders on the online map?

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.

PARTNERS

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