The Biennale internationale des arts du Cirque (BIAC), opening January 9 in southern France, highlights women-led performances in a traditionally male-dominated art form, with 50% of its 66 shows created or directed by women.
A major event in contemporary circus arts, the Biennale internationale des arts du Cirque (BIAC) will open on January 9 across Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, focusing on female-led creations. This year’s edition achieves a milestone, with half of its 66 performances either created or directed by women in an art form historically dominated by men.
“We’ve succeeded in creating real gender parity in this Biennale,” celebrates co-director Raquel Rache de Andrade, a former acrobat who has spent years championing the inclusion of women in circus programming. Her efforts aim to break the “glass ceiling” limiting women’s creative recognition in the industry.
Five years ago, only 28% of circus shows were directed by women, according to the French National Union of Artistic and Cultural Enterprises (Syndeac). That figure has risen to 36% for the 2023-2024 season. The Biennale continues its pioneering role by supporting female creators and directors. “We want to see women soar,” adds Rache de Andrade.
This year’s featured artist is Raphaëlle Boitel, founder of the company L’Oublié(e), following in the footsteps of Fanny Soriano two years ago. Boitel, who collaborated early in her career with director James Thierrée (Charlie Chaplin’s grandson), will showcase several works, including La Chute des Anges and Ombres Portées. She will also premiere a new piece, Petite Reine, in Nice and Marseille. Created in collaboration with acrobatic cycling expert Fleuriane Cornet, it explores themes of control and resilience through the story of a young woman navigating contradictory pressures.
Boitel, known for blending circus, dance, music, and light, has also choreographed opera productions, such as Macbeth at La Scala in Milan. Another leading female artist at BIAC is Marie Molliens, a tightrope walker, aerialist, and artistic director of Compagnie Rasposo. Her latest work, Hourvari, uses wires, Korean seesaws, and aerial acrobatics to create a surreal world that blurs reality and illusion.
Chloé Moglia, director of Compagnie Rhizome, will present poetic and suspended performances, including her outdoor piece Rouge Merveille, during the opening weekend in Marseille. Meanwhile, three Brazilian solo performers, part of the France-Brazil 2025 cultural season, will bring unique perspectives to the Biennale. Alice Rende’s Fora sees her contorting within a plexiglass box in a symbolic quest for freedom. Maïra de Oliveira Aggio will perform Macacada, exploring decolonization, while Joana Nicioli’s Chinese pole act focuses on emotional reconstruction.
The social circus troupe Baobab from Guinea will energize the opening weekend with their new show Yongoyély, celebrating the resilience of African women.
The Biennale’s inclusive programming extends beyond major cities, with performances scheduled in smaller towns like Briançon, Aubagne, and Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban. With over 100,000 attendees in 2023, this year’s edition promises to draw even larger crowds.
With AFP
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