The Zirkusquartier is Zurich's place for contemporary circus, theater and dance...and the home of Zirkus Chnopf. It is a place for artists, young and old, professionals and amateurs. Since the occupation of the current interim use in 2014, the ...
Before attending, double-check the required language skills on the organizer's website.
Front Verse
Interdisciplinary Circus
KUNOS Circus Theatre & MEA Circus
Recto
Applause breaks out under the circus dome. The interval begins.
Verso
Behind the curtain, the clown duo returns to the dressing room. Their bodies are marked by exhaustion, and fatigue and doubt hang in the air. As the technical team takes over for the interval, it becomes clear that the clowns will not be able to return to the ring after the break. The clock is ticking. There are only a few minutes left to find a solution.
A young technician takes the initiative. Under the dome, he adjusts the spotlights and drops an old circus prop. When the team discovers it, a journey into the past begins. For a fleeting moment, the splendour of the circus is revived.
A glimmer of hope appears in the clowns' eyes. Their youthful energy rekindles their fire, and they discover the joy of passing on their knowledge. The key lies in working together. Fatigue gives way to smiles, enthusiasm returns. Together, they create a new second part of the performance – an ode to the poetry of the performing arts, breathing new life into almost forgotten disciplines.
Verso
Some take a deep breath to create magic under the spotlights.
Recto
Others enjoy the second part with a smile on their lips.
The event will take place in the new Koch Park.
To this organizer's website
The KUNOS Circus Theatre was founded in 1993 by Clemens Lüthard, who was joined a year later by Bénédicte Bütler. Their partnership in life and on stage has borne fruit. One creation followed another, whether as a solo, "O Sole Mio", as a duo, "Butterfly", "Œuf!" or in collaboration with other artists: "C'est la vie", "Le Cabinet fantastique du Prof. Vakarmov", "Panopticum Curiosum", "Paradis?".
The use of a predominantly non-verbal form of communication, which has its roots in the circus arts, clowning and music, as well as their adaptability, enable them to bridge boundaries and reach a wide audience: they have performed in chapiteaus, on stages and at festivals in Switzerland, France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Egypt, Romania, Croatia, Singapore, Indonesia, Zimbabwe and the USA. In 1995, while training at the circus school in Moscow, their path crossed with that of the miniature poodle "Mylord S. von den Hohenzotteln", who accompanied them on stage and in life until the end of 2010. Since then, at least one dog has always played in their shows. In the early 2000s, the KUNOS family grew with the birth of two children: the troupe set up their suitcases and tent in Prez-vers-Noréaz, which from then on became their home base and a place for performances, training and teaching circus arts (Cirque-en-Ciel Circus School). In 2024, KUNOS Circus Theatre received the Culture Award of the Canton of Fribourg.
MEA – Arts du Cirque et de la Scène has set itself the goal of promoting the performing arts with a focus on circus arts. It was founded in Fribourg in 2021 to develop and make accessible new projects related to the performing arts in Switzerland.
Victor Goyette, a professional artist who graduated from the Fontys Academy of Circus and Performing Arts in Tilburg, Netherlands, represents MEA on stage. Since 2023, the association has been producing performances such as: Paradis? (2023), Notre Duo – The Truth…? (2025), as well as projects that deviate from the norms of the conventional stage, such as Plein Pole. In addition, MEA has been offering introductory courses in circus arts for children every year since its inception.
Zirkusquartier
Hohlstrasse 256
8004 Zürich
kontakt@zirkusquartier.ch
Opening hours:
Das Zirkusquartier ist ausserhalb der Schulferien täglich ab 15 Uhr für die Kurse geöffnet. An Vorstellungstagen öffnet die Tür 60 Minuten vor Beginn und die Bar ist geöffnet.
Accessibility:
Infos Zugänglichkeit:
The auditorium is wheelchair accessible. The box office and bar are unfortunately on the 1st floor. The Circus Quarter does not have an elevator.
