WORLD CIRCUS DAY
World Circus Day DATES:
19 April 2025
18 April 2026
17 April 2027
15 April 2028
21 April 2029
20 April 2030
19 April 2031
17 April 2032
WHO CREATED THE WORLD CIRCUS DAY?
World Circus Day was established by the World Circus Federation (Fédération Mondiale du Cirque), founded in 2008 by Princess Stéphanie of Monaco. The goal is to promote circus arts, celebrate its history, and bring awareness to its cultural significance worldwide.
How is it celebrated the WORLD CIRCUS DAY?
Circus enthusiasts, performers, and organizations around the world host various events, including:
Live circus performances featuring acrobats, clowns, jugglers, and animal-free acts.
Workshops & training sessions for aspiring performers.
Street parades & open-air performances.
Educational programs about the history and evolution of the circus.
Online showcases & documentaries.
Circo Raluy Legacy involved in the world circus day
The Raluy Sisters, Kerry and Louisa Raluy with the rest of the Raluy Family carry with them a centuries-old legacy known as «CIRCO RALUY LEGACY» in Spain.
From a lot of years they mission is to dignify the profession and raise the level, not only of each show they create but also of the care taken to preserve this traveling circus museum, with its more than 40 caravans and trucks from the beginning of the last century.
Their commitment to World Circus Day is unwavering, and they consistently launch groundbreaking creative initiatives. Whether it’s live broadcasts, special discounts so everyone doesn’t miss out on the circus, videos, photos…!
Objectives of World Circus Day
World Circus Day has several key objectives, aimed at promoting and preserving the circus arts worldwide. Here are the main goals:
1. Promote Circus Arts & Culture
Highlight the artistic, historical, and cultural value of the circus.
Showcase the evolution of circus performances, from traditional acts to modern, contemporary circus.
2. Raise Awareness & Appreciation
Encourage people to recognize the importance of circus arts in entertainment and culture.
Educate the public about the dedication and skills of circus performers.
3. Support & Protect Circus Traditions
Preserve the heritage of traditional circuses while embracing new artistic styles.
Advocate for ethical and sustainable circus practices.
4. Encourage Community Participation
Inspire people of all ages to engage in circus arts through workshops, training, and events.
Strengthen the global circus community by bringing performers, enthusiasts, and audiences together.
5. Advocate for the Recognition of Circus as an Art Form
Work towards circus arts being acknowledged and supported by governments, cultural institutions, and the public.
Promote circus as an inclusive and accessible form of artistic expression.
World Circus Federation
The Story of the World Circus Federation (Fédération Mondiale du Cirque – FMC)
The World Circus Federation (FMC) was founded in 2008 by Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, a passionate advocate for circus arts. The idea was to preserve and promote the circus as a unique and valuable cultural tradition while adapting to the modern world.
Since its creation, the Federation has worked closely with international bodies, such as UNESCO, on initiatives to protect the circus as intangible cultural heritage.
The circus has existed for centuries, blending entertainment, athleticism, and storytelling. However, by the early 21st century, the circus industry faced challenges:
Declining audiences due to changing entertainment trends.
Regulatory challenges, especially concerning the use of animals.
Lack of recognition as an official art form in many countries.
Princess Stéphanie, who had a deep personal connection to the circus (her love for it was influenced by Monaco’s long history of hosting circus festivals), took action. She gathered circus professionals, historians, and enthusiasts to form an international organization dedicated to ensuring the survival and evolution of circus arts.
Building a Global Movement
Since its founding, the World Circus Federation (FMC) has worked on several major initiatives:
✔ World Circus Day (Started in 2010) – An annual global celebration to raise awareness about circus culture.
✔ Support for Traditional & Modern Circuses – Encouraging both classic and contemporary circus styles.
✔ Advocacy for Circus Recognition – Working with governments to establish circus arts as an official cultural and artistic practice.
✔ Ethical & Educational Initiatives – Promoting circus schools, training programs, and ethical practices.
The FMC is headquartered in Monte Carlo, Monaco, home of the prestigious Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival, one of the most respected circus events in the world.
The Federation continues to connect circus communities worldwide, ensuring that future generations can experience the joy, wonder, and artistry of the circus.
EUROPEAN CIRCUS ASSOCIATION (ECA)
The European Circus Association (ECA) is a non-profit organization established in 2002 to unite Europe’s circuses and promote and preserve circus arts and culture as part of Europe’s cultural heritage. The European Circus Association (ECA) represents more than 130 circuses, festivals, animal trainers and artists in 29 countries, including nearly all renowned European circuses and associated members worldwide. The work of the European Circus Association (ECA) is funded by member fees and additional donations.
The European Circus Association (ECA) protects its members’ interests through monitoring and outreach in Brussels and the Member States in support of appropriate and workable laws and regulations in the fields:
- Cultural recognition: As a result of European Circus Association ECA’s work, the European Parliament adopted in 2005 a resolution acknowledging that the circus is part of European culture. Today the European Circus Association (ECA) is working to support recognition of circus as culture in the Member States.
- Travelling children’s education: Children living with their families in travelling circuses must have access to schools and appropriate distance learning programmes.
- Animal welfare: European Circus Association (ECA) works to ensure high quality health and welfare standards for animals presented in circuses and promotes governmental regulation. For this purpose, the ECA has developed a model regulation for the training and keeping of animals.
- EU regulations and technical standards: European Circus Association (ECA) works with authorities in Brussels to identify solutions to facilitate the travelling of circuses throughout Europe and the timely issuance of visa and work permits for its artists and staff. This includes work on tax issues, social security and other regulations. As a special topic, European Circus Association (ECA) is working to promote harmonized regulations for temporary structures such as circus tents throughout the European Union.
In all its activities the European Circus Association (ECA) enjoys close collaboration and cooperation with other professional organizations representing the same interests:
- Fédération Mondiale du Cirque under the patronage of Princess Stephanie of Monte Carlo
- European Showmen’s Union (ESU)
- European Network for Traveller Education (ENTE)
- Performing Arts Employers Associations League Europe (PEARLE)
- Berufsverband der Tierlehrer e.V., Germany
Circo Raluy Legacy is very close to all the circus movements in Europe because Louisa Raluy is on of the sixt Executive Board members of the European Circus Association with : Urs Pilz, Monaco (President), Francesco Mocellin, Italy , Heinz Gniostko, Germany, Carmen Lupascu-Rhodin, Sweden and Peter Fekete, Hungary.
The future of the circus
The circus is not disappearing—it’s evolving. It is shifting toward a digital, artistic, and socially conscious future while still captivating audiences with wonder and spectacle.
Whether through holograms, interactive experiences, or theatrical storytelling, the circus will continue to amaze and inspire future generations.
The circus has transformed dramatically over the centuries, evolving from ancient spectacles to modern theatrical experiences. While traditional elements like acrobatics, clowning, and illusion remain, the future of the circus is embracing technology, sustainability, and immersive storytelling.