Circostrada

About Circostrada

This is the podcast channel of Circostrada. Circostrada is the European Network (https://www.circostrada.org/en/missions-and-values) for contemporary circus and outdoor arts. Created in 2003 with the core mission of furthering the development, empowerment and recognition of these fields at European and international levels, over the years the network has become an important anchoring point for its members (https://www.circostrada.org/en/members/list) and a key interlocutor in the dialogue with cultural policy makers across Europe.

Publisher

Circostrada

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

21 Jun 2022

Latest episode

2 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

24 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Oct 2026

   S2/E3 The Art of Unlearning: Cultural Leadership in a World That Won't Slow Down

   In this episode we explore Circostrada's program CLIMB for cultural leaders navigating the complex realities of contemporary circus and outdoor arts leaders The first edition in spring 2026 brought 15 cultural leaders together in Piemonte, northern Italy, for three days of peer exchange, workshops, and reflection. Together with researchers and cultural managers Giuliana, Dea, and Luisella, Maaike discusses what it takes to lead cultural organizations in challenging times — and how leadership can become more fair, sustainable, and inclusive. The conversation touches on: How CLIMB was designed as a retreat combining theory, peer exchange, and embodied work; Political emotions and how they shape decision-making and collaboration; Feminist leadership, shared leadership, and participatory governance as frameworks for rethinking power; Soft skills, wellbeing, and the paradox of asking the arts to heal society while arts workers struggle with burnout and precarity; The importance of unlearning taken-for-granted practices; How the climbing metaphor became a shared language among participants Crossing Voices, a Circostrada podcast, connects European and international perspectives in contemporary circus and outdoor arts. Each episode fosters dialogue on current issues, bringing together diverse voices to inspire change in artistic practice and cultural policy towards a more inclusive and sustainable cultural landscape. If you would like to know more, please visit circostrada.org Production Magdeleine Goutière – Circostrada Interview, edit, and host: Maaike Muis Music : Blue dot sessions

2. 

   20 Apr 2026

   S2/E2: Cultural Roots & Traditions in Contemporary Circus from Taiwan to Sweden

   In this episode, host Maaike Muis explores how circus is shaped by cultural context, tradition, and geography. From traditional techniques passed through generations to contemporary, dance-infused circus forms, the episode examines how diverse cultural conditions influence circus in Sweden and Taiwan. Together with circus artists Amber Gibson Kong (Taiwan) and Karolina Åamas (Sweden), Maaike discusses how artists navigate their roots while developing their own artistic voice. And they speak about the tensions and paradoxes that can arise in that process. The conversation touches on: How circus education differs globally, Circus university DOCH in Stockholm And the NTCPA National Taiwan College of Performing Arts. How training environments shape artistic identity and creative practice The balance between individual expression and collective creation, and how personal background plays a role in that. How audience codes vary widely. From traditional applause-after-tricks to contemporary theatre-informed responses The episode reflects on how even within a shared art form, cultural frameworks deeply influence both creation and reception and yet at the same time that circus has the power to link these experiences. Crossing Voices a Circostrada podcast, connects European and international perspectives in contemporary circus and outdoor arts. Each episode fosters dialogue on current issues, bringing together diverse voices to inspire change in artistic practice and cultural policy towards a more inclusive and sustainable cultural landscape. If you like to know more: please visit circostrada.org Production Magdeleine Goutière – Circostrada Interview, edit, and host : Maaike Muis Music: blue dot sessions

3. 

   29 Jan 2026

   S2 ep1: Between Risk and Reality: Freedom of Creation in Public Space

   For the new season of Crossing Voices, host Maaike Muis brings together Anna Szepes, theatre maker and facilitator developing community based participatory projects, co-founder of the DePart Collective, and Azadeh Ganjeh, performance artist, researcher, dramaturge, activist, and member of the Rebel-Ist-ha! Collective. Together, they discuss freedom of creation, what it means to be free, and how to foster the right conditions to create. As Azadeh reminds us: "Artistic freedom is not about choosing between given choices. It's about creating choices." And sometimes, those choices mean creating spaces where people can simply be together—silly, goofy, nurturing each other—building the resilience needed for bigger actions later. Crossing Voices – Linking European and international perspectives in contemporary circus and outdoor arts is designed to highlight the voices of key players in the contemporary circus and outdoor arts sectors. This podcast is part of the red-thread followed by Circostrada's new project, CS VOICES. The podcast aims to foster a continuous dialogue on current issues, bringing together diverse perspectives to inspire meaningful change in both the arts and policymaking, thereby contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable cultural landscape. Want to know more? Read the Performing Art’s Coalition report Between Rhetoric and Reality: Cultural Rights, Artistic Freedom, and Democratic Resilience, by Elena Polivtseva. Have a look at ARTCENA’s documentation on Freedom of Creation (in French) Credits Interview, edit, voice-over: Maaike Muis Production: Circostrada- Kinga Kesces & Magdeleine Goutierre Music: Blue dot sessions

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

4.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 19 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

37

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

Contact Circostrada

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.