This is an update for a happy place if you ever feel like you are missing something in this Slovak city, which happens to be the capital. CKK which stands for Cirkuskus is the company that took me in to realize my ESC project. It’s a kid’s circus school situated in the west part of Bratislava. Yes, it’s a small circus school for kids managed by young people and addressed to young people!

But bringing your kid to us to learn some cool tricks is not the only thing you can do there. We host free trainings with the duration of three hours that are open to literally everyone. You can bring your friends, parents, grandparents, or pets and just come train with us. Did you ever want to walk on the stilts? Or try hula hoop and juggling? Well you can do all of that and a lot more in CKK. Don’t worry if you have never tried and you are a newbie, this is the place where we welcome newbies because they are brave enough to try something out of their comfort zone, and believe me, you will not regret it. This is simply a super fun place, with relaxed atmosphere for people and all sorts of artists, to get together and experiment in a safe environment. There are no teachers or students in the open trainings, this meeting is not even owned by CKK, it is a public event that we host for the Slovak Artist Community (SAC), which is an open group of all kinds of Slovak Artists that has existed since 2014. All you need to join us is your free time, bring a friendly smile and a good mood to start training something.

I am proposing this as an evening alternative instead of going out and doing all the normal things that people do normally. Of course there is always the option of going out to see the city, grabbing some beers, going to a concert or to any kind of event happening in the city. However if you ever want to do something different in this city we are here for you. You will find us there every Wednesday, and this event has existed for quite a few years now! We definitely have our regulars, people that have been coming there every week without a miss. But yet, somehow every SAC meeting that CKK is hosting feels like a new experience… That is the magic of it. And even if you are tired one day don’t worry, you are welcome to chat with someone or just sit and watch, or even bring some drawing to do while other people are getting their training done. And afterwards there’s always the option to grab a beer with some members. 

These meeting have most definitely made my integration here, in Bratislava, way smoother. Although circus is my job, and I had circus homework to do many times or was stressed about upcoming events, the people there made it so nice for me. For example, people that I didn’t know coming up to come and asking me questions as they were interested in my job or making me a compliment and other people that I know trying out crazy and fun stuff, it is just so refreshing to watch them.  Although the training is tiring and yes, sometimes the skills or tricks you wish to train do not come easily, or you just get hit by the syndrome “everyone is better than me”, there’s something very rewarding about showing up and always, really always, something good happens. Sometimes it is just harder to notice the good things.

With this invitation to our lovely meetings I want you to know that the circus is a place that is open to everyone, to visit for the first time, no matter how shy you may be, or to visit again after neglecting it for some time. We love excitement, passion and we don’t care about age, race, gender, ability or skill! You are so welcome in our SAC, so see you there ☺

Text a fotka: Christina Bakain

Christina je dobrovoľníčkou programu Európskej komisie Európsky zbor solidarity na dobrovoľníckom projekte v organizácii Cirkuskus pod koordináciou Bratislavského dobrovoľníckeho centra. Projekt bol podporený z programu Európsky zbor solidarity.