St Pölten circus festival showcases modern acts and global photography

The Bühne im Hof venue in St. Pölten has become a circus arena for the fourth time, with modern circus performances and a photography exhibition running through Sunday, ORF reported.

The festival features performers thrown through the air, Hula-Hoop dancing and a ventriloquist giving puppets a voice. Organisers say they aim to show the breadth of modern circus and make it accessible to everyone.

A performance for school classes on Thursday featured juggling with objects, words and fake limbs. The show, “Anschauen!” by Compagnie NiE, was originally created for adults. Performer Bernhard Zandl said the group was pleased to invite audiences to share in its humour. His fellow performer Melanie Möhrl said the duo had incorporated sign language in a way that everyone could understand.

The festival also includes an exhibition by filmmaker and photographer Lukas Berger, who has documented circus groups in countries including Ethiopia, China, Mexico and Pakistan. His photographs focus on the people behind the performances and the different cultures and ways of life in which circus takes shape. Berger said he wanted to show circus as a peaceful and respectful place that stands for tolerance.

Further performances are scheduled for the weekend, with ventriloquist and magician Jan Mattheis hosting the show. The programme includes handstand acrobatics, juggling, Hula-Hoop and aerial dance on a trapeze. Nadia Lumley, Petter Linsky, the Togni Brothers and Lilian Urbas are also taking part.