about cirqu’
Useful Information:
Learn about the cirqu’ Festival Aarau, its organizing team, the association and its board, the history of cirqu’, the Alte Reithalle Aarau, and the festival’s supporters.
The Festival
The ten-day cirqu’ festival takes place in the unique atmosphere of the Alte Reithalle in Aarau as well as on stages, in circus tents, and in public spaces throughout the city.
Alongside internationally acclaimed stage and circus productions, productions that have shaped the face of contemporary circus around the world, cirqu’ presents a wide spectrum of styles and stories, ranging from intimate, experimental pieces to shows for the whole family.Ten-minute acts slot into the festival program just as seamlessly as performances that unfold over hours — or even days.
From playful and joyful to profound and thought-provoking, from light-hearted to challenging, from dizzyingly humorous to boldly provocative – cirqu’ never ceases to surprise. Even while striving to provide a top-tier international program, the festival champions and nurtures Swiss circus, through a variety of formats.
cirqu’ was founded in 2015 and has transformed Aarau for a few days every two years in June since 2017. The festival is organized by the association cirqu’Aarau, a member of the European network Circostrada and the professional association ProCirque.
The team
A small, passionate core team has been driving cirqu’ since day one. Over the years—despite a rather demanding two-year rhythm—they’ve built a solid foundation of trust, fueled by curiosity and a fearless embrace of bold ideas. The team operates as one with a flat hierarchical structure and open, direct lines of communication.
As the festival draws near, the small core team grows and evolves into a large vibrant community, with each addition bringing unique skills and fresh energy. It takes many hands to bring cirqu’ to life — from kitchen wizards and tech crews to ticketing agents and workshop organizers. We also need dedicated people for documentation, tent setup, site design, graphic design, reception, communications, and promotion.
After taking part once, many are happy to return each time the festival comes around. This loyal crew helps make cirqu’ so special.
Management
Roman Müller and Madlaina Bundi are a pair of opposites, but both have been part of cirqu’ since day one. Madlaina, the Aarau native, keeps the finances in check and the communication flowing. Roman, constantly on the move, is bursting with ideas and determined to make the impossible happen. Together, they bridge the gap between discipline and impulse.
As artistic director, Roman Müller shapes the creative vision of cirqu’, staying in close dialogue with partners and artists to craft a one-of-a-kind festival every two years — a celebration born from collaboration, imagination, and bold ideas.
Roman Müller — himself a juggler — has lived and breathed contemporary circus for over thirty years. With his company Tr’espace, he toured the globe for many seasons, captivating audiences and earning a host of international awards along the way.
Madlaina Bundi (BA in Sociology and Communication, MA in Comparative Media Studies, CAS in Cultural Management) is a founding member of cirqu’ and, as a native of Aarau, serves as a vital link between the festival and the city. As managing director, she oversees the finances and leads all aspects of marketing and communication – both within the team and with the public.
Technical department
Edith Szabò and Nik Friedli share responsibility for the festival’s complex technical direction. As a well-coordinated team with complementary personalities and areas of expertise, they consistently manage to turn even the most challenging stage requirements into the ideal setting for each individual production. Working closely together, they remain unshakable even under pressure.
Lighting and lighting design are Edith Szabò’s areas of expertise. Since 1994, she has been working to bring art and theatre to life through light—collaborating with companies like Theater Marie, artist Ruedi Häusermann, and serving as technical director at Theater Tuchlaube. In addition to her work with cirqu’, she contributes her expertise to independent theatre and circus projects.
Nik Friedli is a certified sound technician (SAE) and serves as an examiner for the “Veranstaltungsfachmann EFZ” qualification. Since 2007, Nik has worked as a technician in Aarau, including roles as technical director at Theater Tuchlaube and set designer for Junge Marie. In addition to his work with cirqu’, he currently serves as both co-director and technical director of the fanfaluca Festival.
Production
With a constant focus on the essentials, Laura Olgiati—who holds a BA in International Relations from the University of Geneva and a degree in Cultural Management from Goldsmiths College London—brings her organizational talent to cirqu’.
Her structured, analytical, and solution-oriented approach is a valuable asset to the festival, as is her in-depth understanding of contemporary circus in Europe.
Involved with cirqu’ since its inception, Laura skillfully balances her leadership role at Impact Hub Zurich with her production work at the festival.
Since the early days of cirqu’, Ute Classen has been a key advisor and associate for Roman Müller, whom she had previously supported as manager throughout his artistic career.
Ute brings both perspectives to the table: that of the artist, through her work as an artist manager, and that of the organiser, through her experience in production and project management for festivals. At cirqu’, she acts as a guiding light in challenging times.
Jeanine Ebnöther Trott first joined cirqu’ as a performing artist. After several appearances, she joined us behind the scenes as well.
Nowadays, she can be found in the midst of the action across all areas of the festival, focused on the planning and execution of special projects. In 2023, for example, she helped organize and coordinate Cie XY’s Les Voyages, including all central and peripheral performance venues. A graduate of the École supérieure des arts du cirque in Brussels, she contributes to a wide range of productions—often in collaboration with other artists, and at times developing her own projects. She was also part of the leadership team at Zirkusquartier Zürich.
Mirjam Hildbrand joined the cirqu’ team 2025. As a Doctor of Philosophy, she brings her expertise to roles as a researcher, dialogue partner, host, strategist, and organizer. She weaves together the festival’s various thematic strands, develops narrative frameworks, and writes program texts. She is not entirely new to cirqu’: she played a key role in shaping the 2021 cirqu’ project at the Stadtmuseum.
Every two years, archaeologist Hannes Flück pauses his work with the past to coordinate our volunteer team, whose contributions are invaluable to the festival.
His fascination with contemporary circus is grounded in his own experience with amateur circus.
From 1997 to 2004, he studied Prehistoric and Ancient History, Medieval Archaeology, and Ethnology at the University of Basel, and completed his doctorate in Provincial Roman Archaeology in 2015. Since then, he has worked on various cantonal archaeological projects across Switzerland: Currently, he oversees a range of exciting projects, but no matter what he’s working on, he always looks forward to returning to cirqu’.
The cirqu’Association
cirqu’Aarau, founded in 2014 and based in Aarau is the festivals organizing body. Its primary mission is the curation and organization of the cirqu’ festival. In addition to the festival, cirqu’Aarau also supports projects and artists with its expertise – particularly in administrative matters. Currently, cirqu’ is working with Cie. unlisted, the Aargau-based group Roikkuva and the project Müller&Müller.
cirqu’Aarau also undertakes artistic commissions, such as the co-curation of the circus programme for Bühne Aarau starting in the 2024/25 season. Previous commissions include the curation of the programme for the Kurtheater as part of the Bäderfest in Baden in 2022, and the conception and realization of Aargau Day at the Fête des Vignerons in Vevey in 2019. cirqu’ also coordinated the Canton of Aargau’s reception at the Marché-Concours in Saignelégier in 2022.
cirqu’Aarau is a member of ProCirque (Swiss association for circus professionals) and the European network Circostrada. In collaboration with the Berlin Circus Festival and the Vienna-based festival ON THE EDGE, cirqu’ developed the project Circus Re:searched (2019–2022 supported by Pro Helvetia). During that period, cirqu’ also served as an associate partner of the European development platform circusnext.
Board of Directors
The board of cirqu’Aarau is composed of:
- Barbara Deucher (President of cirqu’, business economist, and strategic communications consultant),
- Nadine Tobler (Director of ThiK Baden),
- Olivia Müller (Attorney at Leiser Meyer Müller),
- Gabriela Käser (Court Clerk),
- Ernst Jäggli (former General Director of the Stadttheater Langenthal).
The Story
Three critical components contributed to the success story of cirqu’: First, in 2012, the vacant Alte Reithalle provided a venue where visions could be imagined and realized. Second, the city of Aarau expressed enthusiasm and showed support for a major festival in the performing arts. And third, the festival benefited from a broader contemporary circus movement in the German-speaking world—one that has gained increasing visibility since the 2010s through the establishment of professional associations, networks, rehearsal and residency spaces, and festivals. Toward the end of the 2010s, cultural policy in Switzerland began to shift: Circus was recognized as a legitimate part of the cultural landscape and therefore eligible for public support. This change is reflected in the numerous mentions of the term "circus" in the Federal Government's cultural policy agenda for 2025–2028. The cirqu’ festival emerged at precisely the right moment and, through its influence and standards, contributes actively to the development and professionalization of contemporary circus in Switzerland.
The cirqu’ story is intertwined with the Alte Reithalle Aarau – it’s where the idea for the festival was born, so it’s worth taking a closer look at this special place.
Die Reithalle Aarau
The Alte Reithalle was built in the 19th century for the Swiss cavalry and used for that purpose until 1972. After the end of that era, it was made available for private equestrian use. At one point, demolition seemed imminent - the association in charge at one point promoted its offer with the words: «If you still want to ride in the old cavalry hall, you need to join the riding club now—it’s about to be torn down.»
The Alte Reithalle and its transformation into a space for art and culture
After the end of its use for equestrian sports, the future of the Alte Reithalle remained uncertain for a long time. It was around this time that Aargau’s cultural and theatre scene was actively campaigning for a dedicated venue for the performing arts. Starting in 2011, Theater Tuchlaube Aarau (now Bühne Aarau) was granted temporary summer use of the uninsulated, unheated hall. The space’s size and unique atmosphere offered unexpected possibilities. Artists and theatre-makers quickly seized the opportunity and began filling the hall with content.
By the second summer season, the hall had already become a stage for circus productions by artists connected to the region: in 2012, the Aargau-based group Roikkuva performed their piece Mädchen Mädchen, followed a year later by juggler Roman Müller and his company Tr’espace with the piece ArbeiT. In 2014, Tr’espace returned with the production Le Cercle.
The Alte Reithalle left a lasting impression on the artist—and the idea of a contemporary circus festival in this venue began to take shape.
Peter-Jakob Kelting, then artistic director of Bühne Aarau, played a key role in supporting the project and eventually contemporary circus became an integral part of the Alte Reithalle’s program.
In 2015, the once-bold dream of a circus festival in the Alte Reithalle Aarau became reality for the first time. Within a few years, cirqu’ managed to establish itself as a fixture in the cultural and festival landscape, attracting a broad and enthusiastic audience.
The renovation of the Alte Reithalle and its present-day function
In June 2019, with the production Le Vide, essaie de cirque, the Alte Reithalle was explored from floor to ceiling — all the way to its 16-metre apex. This event marked the conclusion of that year’s festival and simultaneously brought the interim use of the hall to an end. Long-planned renovation work began, and under the direction of architects Barão-Hutter and artistic director Peter-Jakob Kelting, the Alte Reithalle was transformed into a modern, multifunctional theatre space.
What many had doubted became a reality: at the same time the historic charm of the Alte Reithalle was preserved.
The Alte Reithalle is now a multidisciplinary venue under the direction of Bühne Aarau, combining classical theatre, circus, and dance with innovative forms, and presenting both Swiss and international productions in Aarau. In addition, classical concerts are held in the Alte Reithalle under the direction of argovia philharmonic. With the 2023 edition of the festival, cirqu’ returned—into the new and improved Alte Reithalle.
You can learn more about each edition of the festival since 2015 in our archive: 2023 2021 2019 2017 2016 2015
Supporters and Partners
cirqu’ wouldn’t be possible without the help and support of many. We’re incredibly thankful to everyone who has stood by us along the way. From the very beginning, we’ve received crucial support from the Canton of Aargau, the City of Aarau, and our cherished partner, Bühne Aarau. We’re equally grateful to long-time supporters such as the Ernst Göhner Foundation, Migros Kulturprozent, and the Corymbo Foundation.
Over the years, many more have joined us on this journey, including: Pro Helvetia, Kultur macht Schule, Aargauer Kuratorium, HLB Foundation, Stiftung Lebensraum Aargau, Temperatio, Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation, Godi Hertig Foundation, Credit Suisse Culture Foundation, Ambassade de France, British Council, and Circusnext.
Time and time again, Aarau’s cultural spaces open their doors to us—led by Bühne Aarau and the Stadtmuseum Aarau, and joined by Forum Schlossplatz, Bar im Stall, and KIFF. Ensembles like the Argovia Philharmonics and Stadtmusik Aarau continue to embrace our ideas with openness and enthusiasm.
Our gratitude also goes to long-standing local partners—Schärer Rechtsanwälte, Garage Rebamann, DS Store Aarau, smARTec, the Aarauerhof, and Aarau Info. But our support base stretches far wider: every two years, local shops and businesses across Aarau open their windows for cirqu’, or offer help in other meaningful ways. You’ll find all of them listed in our program booklet, available in early April.
To each and every one of them—and to those whose names aren’t listed—we extend our deepest thanks and a round of well-earned applause.