International Festival of Contemporary Circus and Theatre Letní Letná

International Festival of Contemporary Circus and Theatre Letní Letná is the biggest event dedicated to the circus field in the Czech Republic. For nineteen years, the festival has been setting the trends for contemporary circus practice in the Czech Republic and has become an integral part of the annual Czech and European map of cultural events.

Since its very beginning, the festival has presented the crème de la crème of international contemporary circus. It also systematically supports the local circus scene and offers a rich programme for a broad audience. Within twenty-one days in August, it offered more than 190 shows to an audience of more than 50,000 spectators (in 2021). Letní Letná takes place in a beautiful green park very close to the historical centre of Prague. The festival is set up with tents, and its area serves as the meeting point for a broad audience. The audience members always feel a welcoming atmosphere and like to return.

Thanks to the festival, the Czech Republic has hosted prominent names of the international contemporary circus scene, among them 7 Fingers, Akoreacro, Atelier Lefeuvre & André, Baro d’Evel Cirk Cie, Cahin Caha, Cie Galapiat, Cirkus Cirkör, Cirque Aïtal, Cirque Alfonse, Cirque Baroque, Cirque Ici, Cirque Inextremiste, Cirque La Compagnie, Cirque Trottola, Cirque Trottola & Petit Théâtre Baraque, Collectif Malunés, Compagnie 100 Issues, Compagnie Rasposo, Compagnie XY, La Compagnie du Poivre Rose, Le Boustrophedon, Les Colporteurs, Les Filles du Renard Pâle, Malabar, NoFit State Circus, Projet.PDF, Théâtre d’Un Jour and many more.

Letní Letná has become a solid platform presenting the work of Czech contemporary circus and theatre companies to the general public. The festival regularly features the very best of well-established as well as emerging Czech artists. Letní Letná also helps mediate contact between Czech artists and the international scene and therefore encourages the growth and development of the genre of contemporary circus in the Czech Republic.

The festival also takes part in international projects as co-productions of opening shows for the festival (in 2018, 2019, with cooperation of over 30 artists from CZ and abroad) or the EU co-funded project CircusLink (2019–2022).

Letní Letná attracts exceptional numbers of spectators every year (over 50,000 in the past few editions), yet its atmosphere remains relaxed, reminiscing the ancient world of traditional circuses, miles away from mass events and commercialism. Letní Letná has become a magical meeting point and a leisure time landmark for friends and families with kids.

The organization:

Společnost GASPARD was established in 1999. Its main mission is to organize, support and develop the field of contemporary circus in Czechia. Since 2004, it has been the organizer of the International Festival Letní Letná which grew from 1 tent and 6,000 spectators in 2004 to more than 50,000 spectators in 2021

Festival director: Jiri Turek

Executive director: Ivana Pekna

Head of production: Anna Vondrackova