Upsala children`s circus
Former street children make fantastic artistes
Ten years ago, Astrid Schorn from Berlin had the idea of starting a children’s circus to help homeless children and young people in St. Petersburg and give them some perspective of life. This joint German and Russian project does not only give the small artistes back their zest for life: they also regularly delight both Russian and German audiences. This is because the children’s circus goes on tour in Germany every year. Here it is not always easy to make the audience laugh, as it is often made up of traumatised children from orphanages, institutions for disabled persons and family centres in St. Petersburg. Their own histories, which involve begging, collecting bottles to reclaim the deposit and sniffing glue, helps the little artistes to engage with their public. A lack of perspective and poverty frequently mean that the parents in Russia are unable to cope with bringing up their children. The children are often neglected, maltreated and left to their own devices, so many children prefer to be on the streets rather that at home with their parents. Estimates assume that there are around seven hundred homeless children and young people in St. Petersburg.
The Upsala team, which consists of a circus trainer, an educationalist and a young artiste, regularly visit the areas where the street children congregate so that they can engage them in conversation and invite them to the circus. Because of the many bad experiences the children have had with care homes and state institutions, it is often difficult to gain their trust. However, after they have been persuaded to visit the circus once, they very soon become enthusiastic about the tricks and the colourful clothing. In addition to this, the children can have a shower and are given food and clothing. A great deal of empathy is required to ascertain whether the children want to return to their families. Alternatively, a place is found for the children with a foster family or in an orphanage. The playful point of access though doing circus work together helps to break down the barriers of these children, who are generally shy and unfriendly, and to encourage their reintegration into society.
Support from the Peter Ustinov Foundation
The “Upsala” association in Germany provides the circus with funds to supply the children with food and clothing, purchase circus props and hire rooms in which to train. The association was founded by Astrid Schorn, a social education worker, who got to know the local children when she did an internship in St. Petersburg.
The Peter Ustinov Foundation has supported the association since 2009. As a result, it has already been possible to establish a new circus class and go on a tour in Germany. There was tremendous excitement among the circus children who were able to go on the tour in Germany. Many children were able to swim in the sea, travel and experience another country for the first time in their life. Their strict training and hard work was rewarded by the applause of the audience on Sylt, in Bonn, Berlin and Dusseldorf.
The Peter Ustinov Foundation becomes involved in this and further projects to benefit children in need and their families. Please join us in our humanitarian project and give children a future with hope.
For more information please contact: www.upsala-zirk.org
