BIAC Returns for Its 6th Edition

The Biennale Internationale des Arts du Cirque (BIAC) returns for its 6th edition from January 9 – February 9, 2025, promising an extraordinary month-long celebration of circus arts across the South of France. Organized by Archaos, the National Center for Circus Arts in Marseille, the 2025 festival boasts an impressive lineup of 66 shows, including 15 world premieres, with over 230 performances presented by 55 cultural partners. Following the success of the 2023 edition, which drew over 100,000 spectators, the festival is set to captivate audiences once again, from the Mediterranean coast to the Alpine peaks. Established in 2015 by Archaos, a pioneer of contemporary circus and a National Center for Circus Arts since 2012, BIAC has become a cornerstone event in the circus world. The festival highlights a wide array of artistic expressions, from innovative contemporary works to accessible, family-friendly performances.

Opening Weekend Highlights: January 11–12

The festival kicks off at the Friche la Belle de Mai in Marseille with two days of free, family-friendly performances starting at 2 PM. The opening weekend features awe-inspiring acts, including:

• Rouge Merveille: A breathtaking aerial show by Cie Rhizome.
• Looking for: A creative exploration of bodies and objects by Cie Allégorie.
• FEU: A high-energy performance blending a race, a concert, and athletic artistry by Fanny Alvarez.
• Alice Rende: A celebrated contortionist and festival favorite, performing her piece Fora across multiple venues.
• Soka Tira Osoa: A stunning tightrope act by Cie Basinga, brought to life through collective strength.

Notably, the opening weekend includes the world premiere of Circus Baobab’s Yongoyély, a powerful tribute to African women that combines dance and acrobatics. Following these performances, the show will move to La Scala in Paris.

Highlights of the Month-long Festival

From January 16 to February 8, the Prado Beach transforms into a vibrant village of four circus tents, hosting six performances, including three premieres.

• NoFit State Circus (Wales): Returns with Sabotage, a bold and innovative spectacle that pushes boundaries with thrilling acrobatics and live music.
• Cirque la Compagnie: Presents Pandax, a high-energy blend of knife-throwing and acrobatics.
• Compagnie MPTA: Offers À tout rompre, an exploration of rupture and resilience through a seamless blend of theater and circus.

At the Village Chapiteaux, two unmissable premieres include:

• Hourvari by Marie Molliens (Cie Rasposo): A theatrical production blurring the lines between reality and illusion.
• Kahkos by Joana Nicioli (Cie Ruyna): An intimate solo performance on the Chinese pole, set to an eclectic soundscape.

The festival will also showcase emerging talent from Piste d’Azur, a circus school in Roquette-sur-Siagne, with their creation Heureux devenir, highlighting the aspirations of the next generation of circus artists.

Spotlighting Female Artists

This year’s festival celebrates women in circus arts, featuring:

• Raphaëlle Boitel: A prominent figure in contemporary circus, presenting four works, including her latest piece Petite Reine in Marseille and Nice.
• Chloé Moglia (Cie Rhizome), Tatiana-Mosio Bongonga (Cie Basinga), and Brazilian artists Maïra de Oliveira Aggio and Alice Rende.

Professional Events and Closing Weekend

From January 21–25, BIAC will host its Professional Meetings, attracting over 600 programmers from around the world, fostering collaborations and touring opportunities.

The festival concludes on February 9 with Au bout, la mer!, a free public event in Marseille featuring performances such as Naïade by Cie Out of the Blue, a poetic exploration of underwater acrobatics in a giant aquarium.

For tickets and details, visit: www.biennale-cirque.com | www.archaos.fr

The Complete List of Artists and Companies Presented at the Festival

1. (…) Parenthèse points parenthèse titre en toutes lettres, Lonely Circus | CREATION
2. Yongolély, Circus Baobab| CREATION EN PREMIERE MONDIALE
3. Entre chiens et loups, Théâtre du Centaure| CREATION EN AVANT-PREMIERE
4. L’Absolu, Les Choses de rien
5. Sabotage, NoFit State Circus
6. Heureux devenir, Piste d’Azur
7. Hourvari, compagnie Rasposo
8. Pandax, Cirque La Compagnie
9. A tout rompre, compagnie MPTA
10. Kahkos, compagnie Ruyna
11. Aimons-nous vivants, Mathieu Ma Fille Foundation
12. Anatomie d’un clown, Philippe Goudard
13. Ariane(s), Compagnie Lunatic
14. Armour, Arno Ferrera & Gille Polet | CREATION
15. Baoum!, compagnie SCoM
16. Cairns , Collectif Merkén
17. Décrochez-moi-ça, Bêtes de foire
18. De bonnes raisons, La Volte Cirque
19. Duel Reality, Les 7 doigts de la main
20. En attendant Vicky, Va jouer dehors !
21. Entre chiens et louves, Cirque Le Roux
22. Entre les lignes, compagnie Lunatic
23. Every_body, Not Standing – Alexander Vanournhout
24. Évidences inconnues, Rode Boom – Kurt Demey
25. Face aux murs, compagnie Hors surface| CREATION
26. Failles, compagnie La Féroce | CREATION
27. Fame TV, Collectif TBTF | CREATION EN PREMIERE
28. Fora, compagnie AR
29. Heka, Gandini Juggling
30. Irroottaa, Grensgeval & Circus Katoen| CREATION EN PREMIERE
31. Jazz Magic, Blizzard Concept
32. La 8e Balle, compagnie Zec Zenzero e Cannella
33. La Bête noire, compagnie L’Oublié(e) Raphaëlle Boitel
34. La Chute des anges, compagnie L’Oublié(e) Raphaëlle Boitel
35. La Fabuleuse histoire de BasarKus, compagnie Lamento & Académie Fratellini
36. Le Cabaret renversé, La Faux Populaire
37. Le récit des yeux, compagnie Sombra
38. Le repos du guerrier, La Supérette Edouard Peurichard
39. Macacada, Maïra de Oliveira Agio | CREATION EN PREMIERE
40. Miettes, compagnie Nawar Jules Sadoughi | CREATION EN PREMIERE
41. nEither Eiter both and, Gandini Juggling
42. Ocho, Cirque Baraka
43. Ombres Portées, compagnie L’Oublié(e) – Raphaëlle Boitel
44. Oraison, compagnie Rasposo
45. Petite Reine, compagnie L’Oublié(e) – Raphaëlle Boitel | CREATION
46. Quand on était seul.es, compagnie Si Seulement
47. Salto, El Nucleo
48. Situ, Ino Kollektiv
49. Suis-je Bête ? compagnie Les Attentifs | CREATION
50. Ten thousand hours, Gravity and Other Myths
51. Trilokia, Circo Aereo | CREATION SOUS CHAPITEAU

Main image: Sabotage Cie NofitState Circus  © Sigrid Spinnox