Genís Matabosch has the circus in his veins. The second phase of Circusland, the Palau del Circ that he has built in Besalú in the old abbey of Sant Pere, will soon open its doors. But the museum part of the existing circus 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 straw comes every year between February and March, with the International Festival of the Circ-Elefant d'Or, in Girona.
With more than 30,000 spectators a year, 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 a capacity for 2,300 people , with full vision from all angles.
The galas have already begun this Thursday, which alternate between shows of 12 numbers, in school functions (4) and for the general public (12). Monday is the spectator's day, with even more adjusted prices, with the possibility of seeing both shows, that is to say, the 24 unpublished numbers that Matabosch has brought to Girona in this edition, the twelfth, which consolidates the festival and makes it an international benchmark.
And on Tuesday, February 27, the grand finale, the Golden Gala, will be held in the Camp de Mart marquee. From the 24 numbers of the two shows, the blue and the red, the judges will choose twelve, which will be the ones to perform that evening. The winner will take home the Golden Elephant trophy, designed after Dalí's elephant, courtesy of the Gala-Dalí Foundation.
"The festival has become the showcase for firsts, thanks to our eagerness to pursue the unheard of in Western Europe," Matabosch declares. "It's the main source that provides shows to all kinds of shows, circuses, party halls, theme parks... That's why more and more talent scouts attend." Of all the shows, there is one in Catalan, Ramó
There are also Russian artists, "because the circus is the culture of peace", declares Matabosch. "I don't think it's good to politicize culture, and that's why I'm against vetoes. Culture should not be complicit in the conflict, but the other way around. In addition, there are many troupes that have members from both countries. The circus is our homeland".
So, from Russia, in the discipline of juggling, comes Aleksey Teslin, who will display his skills with the diabolo. In that of the Korean porter, with the number In Your Hands, there are two acrobatic gymnastics champions. And coming from Siberia, the Diamond Circus presents the acrobatics of the swinging poles. Artsiom Zhaunenka from Belarus is participating, combining classical music by balancing on a cello. And from Moldavia and Canada, 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 canvases. But China is the one that provides the most artists. Dezhou Acrobatic Troupe presents two juggling numbers, with straw hats and with tridents, our field pitchforks, elements within the reach of any farmer. The acrobat Lan Mi offers a complete repertoire of aerial figures. And to break all the records, Nanchong Culture and Art Exchange Development Center has been joined by two troupes juggling porcelain vases to appear in the Guinness book with its 16 artists on the track.
The other record for the twelfth edition of the festival is held by The Flying González. The line of Chilean trapeze artists, owners of the Circo Panamericano, presents for the third time in history a triple trapeze, which has been made expressly in Girona for the occasion, under the direction of three of the fourteen trapeze artists who participate: three carriers and eleven nimble. Also from Chile, Los Tiki-Taka will perform, who with the Argentinian Pacusito Videla are the two clown acts of the festival.
Also from Argentina, Franco Carvallo balances with his acrobatic bicycle, and Duo Soma, with the pole. The Peruvian Nilson Escobar specializes in the subgenre tempo jugglers, which are very fast juggles to Latin rhythms. And the Mexican Hermanos Vivas present the acrobatics of the Icarian games.
And still two more 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 show of truth, because the audience is at 360º. The festival has a budget of 400,000 euros, coming from sponsors and all the administrations, except the ministry, even though it is the most important festival in Spain", Matabosch points out.
