Outa Hamra's performance as part of the Art of Transit tour, organised by Mahatat for Contemporary Arts last June. (Photo: Mohamed Kamal)
Egyptian clown troupe Outa Hamra (Red Tomato) will participate in the First African Circus Arts Festival which runs from 27-29 November in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The festival is organised by Fekat Circus, a circus arts performance group, and brings together seven such outfits from six different African countries.
Besides Fekat Circus and Outa Hamra, the line-up includes L’Alea Des Possibles (Madagascar), Debre Berhan Circus (Ethiopia), Sarakasi Trust (Kenya) and Sencirk (Senegal).
Fekat Circus, based in Addis Ababa, put on circus performances that tackle an array of social issues, as well as organising workshops. The group aims to employ circus "as an agent of social change and development of the local community,” according to their website.
November's three-day festival will feature morning and evening performances held across Addis Ababa's public spaces and a so-far-undisclosed festival venue.
The organisers explain on the website that they hope to "create the occasion for young African circus artists to express themselves and their talent," and to give them "the opportunity through workshops to exchange experiences, acquire new tools to better develop and promote themselves”.
“Promotion is an important aspect, because the cultural, social and economic importance of circus is still poorly recognized in Africa, and it’s time for circus to establish itself as a real art form to count within the continent’s development,” the statement continued.
The organisers also made reference to the social insecurity and violence sadly plaguing many African countries, saying the festival will “spread a message of peace, unity and cultural diversity”.
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