On the last weekend of July, Lublin will once again transform into a vibrant center of contemporary circus. Carnaval Sztukmistrzów (July 24-27) is a celebration of clowning, acrobatics, juggling, and creativity, attracting thousands of spectators yearning for excitement and fun. Centre for Culture will host three performances from this year’s program.
Teatronas – “Itch” / LTU / 50 min / 12+ / English / tickets
July 24, 2025, 7:00 PM
July 25, 2025, 5:00 PM
The modern scramble of haste, isolation, conflict, and the relentless pursuit of success often conceals a profound fear of death. This underlying terror is the core inspiration for “Itch”, a powerful stage production that fuses contemporary circus and theatre. Drawing from psychotherapist Irvin D. Yalom’s “Staring at the Sun: Overcoming the Terror of Death” —a book that examines mortality through literature, philosophy, and his patients’ lives – “Itch” offers a raw exploration of this fundamental human anxiety.
The performance at the Carnival of the Magicians will be part of the “Baltic Circus on the Road” project, coordinated by Rīgas cirks (Latvia) and supported by the Baltic Culture Fund.
Kejos Collective – “No Yes You” / POL / 50 min / 10+ / Polish / tickets
July 24, 2025, 5:00 PM
July 25, 2025, 8:00 PM
July 26, 2025, 4:00 PM
“No Yes You” is a circus-theatre performance rooted in contemporary clowning, where each character is shaped by the personal traits, quirks, dreams and life experiences of the actors.
Three performers set out to deliver a flawless, highbrow show… but the universe has other plans. One mistake snowballs into another, and suddenly we’re deep in a delicious storm of mishaps, misunderstandings, and misfired tricks. What should be a polished spectacle becomes a gloriously imperfect mess — and that’s when the magic really begins.
Part improv, part choreography, part sheer chaos, No Yes You is always evolving — shaped by audience reactions and fuelled by unpredictability. It’s a whirlwind of clowning, physical comedy, surprsing choreography and live music.
Art For Rainy Days – “How A Spiral Works” / LTU/LVA/GBR / 50 min / 10+ / wordless / tickets
July 26, 2025, 7:00 PM
July 27, 2025, 4:00 PM
Aerial dance meets emotional storytelling in this hypnotic duet about tenderness and resilience.
When chaos reigns, what does it mean to care for ourselves — to truly connect with others? How does compassion manifest in the eye of the storm, or when pain becomes part of who we are?
In an intimate duet of dancer, aerialist, and single rope, a visceral relationship unfolds, woven from trust, resistance, and release. Their bodies intertwine in a spiraling choreography of suspension and surrender—a physical and emotional helix of profound connection.
“How a Spiral Works” blends hair hanging, aerial acrobatics, contemporary dance, and haunting reinterpretations of Baltic folk songs. It is a poetic act of care and defiance – visually arresting, emotionally stirring and deeply human.
Presented at Carnaval Sztukmistrzów as part of Baltic Circus on the Road, a project coordinated by Rīgas Cirks (Latvia) and supported by the Baltic Culture Fund.
