Amaze! Tales and Magic of Circus

Circus enchants, entertains, and captivates its audience with the antics of clowns, the bravery of circus artists, the sparkle of sequins, the scent of popcorn, magic, and masterful skills. However, circus is also much more than that. Finnish circus is the world of legendary personalities, international adventures, the joy of circus enthusiasts, absurd storytelling — and thousands of hours of sweaty practice.

Circus is an art form where the impossible becomes reality and the audience can feel the thrill in their bones. Acrobatics, magic, and humor speak without words, and clowns remind us of our humanity. Circus is movement, physicality, mental control, and community — whether the stage is a tent, a theater, a bogland, or a water tower.

The story of Finnish circus began in the 19th century, when international troupes started visiting Finland. Gradually, Finnish traveling circuses emerged, passing traditions down from generation to generation.

Since the 1990s, new ideas have emerged alongside traditional circus: influences have been drawn from contemporary dance, popular culture, music, and visual arts. In the 2000s, contemporary circus groups and artists have successfully taken their performances to stages around the world, making Finland an internationally respected country in the field of contemporary circus.

The characters and stories of Finnish circus history, traditional circus, and contemporary circus run side by side throughout the exhibition.