Hundreds of Lebanese adults and children had a night to remember on Aug. 9th as they enjoyed a blend of acrobatic performances, juggling acts and dance renditions in the contemporary “Cirkopolis” show performed by the Canadian Cirque Eloize troupe.
The Montreal-based troupe introduced the Lebanese audience to its unique circus performances which mix theatricals with circus acts.
“It is a contemporary circus, so there are no animals, there is no clown,” said tour manager of Cirque Eloize, Thibaut Philippe.
The show is part of the the annual Beiteddine Art Festival, which ended on August 11.
Nearly 11 performers from Canada, the U.S., Belgium, Japan, and Australia took the stage with performances on cyr wheels and a trapeze, as well as acrobalance acts and diabolo tricks.
Among those who attended the hour-long show was Maya Bittar, who said she was most impressed by how flexible the performers were.
“It is different from (the usual) circus (performances) in Lebanon, where there are animals and music. In (this performance), there is an idea that they follow, it is not haphazard,” she added.
This is the troupe’s second performance in Lebanon, with the performance lasting for three nights in Beiteddine Art Festival.
The annual Beiteddine festival, one of many art festivals hosted by Lebanon each summer, kicked off on July 12 with a concert by famed Lebanese composer Ziad Rahbani.