Now in its 19th edition, Funambolika returns to Pescara this summer with a bold and diverse lineup that reaffirms its place as one of Europe’s most distinctive circus festivals. With a commitment to boundary-pushing performance, poetic storytelling, and international collaboration, Funambolika 2025 promises to be a landmark event in the global contemporary circus calendar.
The festival opens on June 12 at the Arena of the Porto Turistico di Pescara with two productions from Circo El Grito, one of Italy’s most respected and innovative companies. Known for its pioneering approach to contemporary circus, Circo El Grito brings both familiarity and new vision to this year’s program.
The first of their two presentations is The Magnet Man, a cult favorite created by Giacomo Costantini and co-written with Wu Ming 2. Blending circus, illusion, music, and literature, the performance explores narrative and perception through a rich multidisciplinary lens. Running from June 12 to 15, the show invites audiences into a world where physical virtuosity meets poetic imagination.
From June 18 to 21, the company returns to the stage with the preview of Un Amour en Couleur, a new work by Fabiana Ruiz Diaz. This highly personal and emotionally charged creation brings together a troupe of acrobats in a colorful exploration of the human soul. With an emphasis on feeling, flight, and color, the piece reflects Ruiz Diaz’s unique approach to storytelling through movement.
On July 1, Funambolika hosts the Italian exclusive of Australian company Gravity & Other Myths, presenting their internationally acclaimed show A Simple Space. Performed at the Arena of the Porto Turistico, this production strips circus down to its rawest elements: seven elite acrobats and a musician share the stage in an intimate, immersive experience that surrounds the audience. The result is a visceral, deeply human exchange that redefines the boundary between artist and spectator.
The festival concludes on July 7 at the Teatro Massimo di Pescara with the only Italian date of Gandini Juggling’s latest creation, HEKA. Returning to Funambolika by popular demand, the legendary UK-based company presents a new work that dives into the intersection of illusion, gambling, and perception. HEKA challenges the audience’s sense of reality with a sophisticated mix of juggling, visual trickery, and theatrical finesse. Objects seem to levitate, vanish, and transform—inviting viewers to question what is real and what is simply a masterful manipulation of perspective.
At StageLync, we are proud to spotlight events like Funambolika that exemplify the spirit of contemporary performance—merging risk, beauty, and meaning into shared live experiences. In a time when the performing arts must constantly evolve to stay visible and vital, festivals like this demonstrate just how vibrant and resilient our global creative community can be.
Funambolika is not just a festival; it is a platform for renewal, connection, and artistic excellence. We encourage performing arts professionals, presenters, and audiences alike to explore its 2025 program and discover the visionary talent taking the stage in Pescara this summer.
For full program details and ticket information, visit www.funambolika.com.
Main image: Circo El Grito, Courtesy of Funambolika
This post was last modified on May 28, 2025 2:09 pm