Circus on the EDGE

Die Rotznasen is a community circus located in Hamburg-Altona, Germany. Since 1991 it has given weekly circus classes to children and young adults covering skills including acrobatics, juggling, unicycle, tumbling, aerials and clowning. In addition to the regular classes there are school circus projects, performances at festivals, theatrical visits to elderly care homes, to name a few. Die Rotznasen also does a large annual production that goes on tour in their own Big Top, around northern Germany and neighbouring countries.

 

Die Rotznasen uses a process orientated training that offers a creative journey as its students develop from childhood to adolescence. As well as developing talented circus artists, Die Rotznasen can also be seen as a playful learning center for life skills: 

- Creating team spirit

- Being brave yet responsible when learning new things

- Widening and enhancing personal limits and endurance; for example, when balancing oneself on a tight rope or unicycle

- Strengthening self confidence through performance.

 

Their parents are also part of the team and volunteer to build the Big Top, cook on circus tours and help with make-up, costume design and PR. Students learn and understand from a young age that togetherness and partcipation, alongside their physical training, is what Die Rotznasen and performance is all about. 

 

Through the provision of international exchanges and intercultural circus projects, the students have the opportunity to reflect upon their own cultural background and gain a better knowledge of the world, in turn broadening their horizons.

 

Circus traditionally has a space for everyone, despite race, age and social status; and we believe at Die Rotznasen that we help to create open minded people for the future challenges of new generations and for a better, more peaceful world.