Genís Matabosch has the circus in his veins. The second phase of Circusland, the Palau del Circus that he has built in Besalú in the old abbey of Sant Pere, will soon open its doors. But the part of the existing circus museum has already welcomed 75,000 visitors. It is also the organizer of the Girona Christmas Circus, and the Circus Nights, which are held in Besalú and Roses in the summer. But the final trick comes every year between February and March, with the International Circus Festival - Elefant d'Or, in Girona.
With more than 30,000 spectators annually, the festival “is the most important in Spain and certainly in Western Europe,” says Matabosch, who is proud to have a tent that he rents in England, with capacity for 2,300 people, with a complete view from all angles.
This Thursday the galas have already begun, which alternate between 12-number shows, school functions (4) and for the general public (12). Monday is the spectator's day, with even tighter prices, with the possibility of seeing the two shows, that is, the 24 unpublished numbers that Matabosch has brought to Girona in this edition, the twelfth, which consolidates the festival and makes it in international reference.
And on Tuesday, February 27, the grand finale, the Gala d'Or, will be held in the Camp de Mart tent. Of the 24 numbers of the two shows, the blue and the red, the juries will choose twelve, which will be the ones who will perform that night. The winner will receive the Elefant d'Or trophy, designed after Dalí's elephant, courtesy of the Gala-Dalí Foundation.
“The festival has become the showcase of firsts, thanks to our desire to pursue what is unprecedented in Western Europe,” declares Matabosch. “It is the main source that provides entertainment for all types of shows, circuses, party halls, theme parks... That is why more and more talent scouts attend.” Of all the shows, there is a Catalan one of comic magic, Ramó
There are also Russian artists, “because the circus is the culture of peace,” Matabosch declares. “I don't think it's right to politicize culture, and that's why I'm against vetoes. Culture should not be complicit in the conflict, but the other way around. Additionally, there are many troupes that have members from both countries. The circus is our homeland.”
Thus, from Russia, in the juggling discipline, comes Aleksey Teslin, who will exhibit his skills with the diabolo. In that of the Korean portor, with the number In Your Hands, two acrobatic gymnastics champions. And hailing from Siberia, the Diamond Circus features the swinging mast acrobatics. Artsiom Zhaunenka from Belarus participates, who combines classical music by balancing on a cello. And from Moldova and Canada, the Duo Soul uses capillary and dental force in the aerial circle.
If we continue through Asia, Light Arrow, from Kazakhstan, combines aerial ribbons with archery. And from Vietnam, Angel of Crystal goes from the ground to the air, balancing cups on aerial fabrics. But China is the one that contributes the most artists. Dezhou Acrobatic Troupe presents two juggling acts, with straw hats and tridents, our country pitchforks, elements within the reach of any peasant. Acrobat Lan Mi offers a complete repertoire of figures in aerial silks. And to break all records, two troupes have joined forces at the Nanchong Culture and Art Exchange Development Center to juggle porcelain vases for the Guinness Book with their 16 artists on the floor.
The other record of the twelfth edition of the festival is in the hands of The Flying González. The family of Chilean trapeze artists, owners of the Pan-American Circus, presents for the third time in history a triple trapeze, which has been expressly manufactured in Girona for the occasion, under the direction of three of the fourteen trapeze artists participating: three porters and eleven agile . Also from Chile, Los Tiki-Taka perform, which with the Argentine Pacusito Videla are the two clown acts.
Also from Argentina, Franco Carvallo balances with his acrobatic bicycle, and Duo Soma, with the coat hanger. Peruvian Nilson Escobar specializes in the tempo jugglers subgenre, which are very fast juggles with Latin rhythms. And the Mexican Hermanos Vivas present the acrobatics of the Icarian games.
And still two other numbers: the acrobatic adagio of the Australians Resplendence Duo and, with a mix of nationalities, the Korean plank of Squaire (Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands).
“The circus is the spectacle of truth, because the audience is in 360º. The festival has a budget of 400,000 euros, coming from sponsors and all administrations, except the ministry, although it is the most important festival in Spain,” says Matabosch.
Catalan version, here
