All of us in Circus Abyssinia grew up dreaming of joining the circus, but for all its rich and vibrant traditions, Ethiopia has no circus tradition, and very few acrobats ever make a living by their skills. Circus Abyssinia is the first Ethiopian circus created by and for Ethiopian artists, and my hope is that our show will help create a space in the world for many more to come.
I think part of the power of the show is the way it highlights the importance of dreams in a world too often marked by cynicism and doubt. The show is about the boyhood dreams of my brother and I, but it’s also about every artist back in Ethiopia and everywhere – those who know that to perform is to be happy, and that nothing can compare with sharing the beats and excitement of acrobatic daring and dance with an audience.
And that’s what it’s really all about. Our show explores Ethiopia’s colorful artistic heritage, and the traditions that set us apart, but at its heart is a celebration of the dreams and joys common to all cultures and continents, and that bring us together.
– Bichu Shimellis