The circus goes to the outskirts

Abstract

The aim is to report on one of the actions of an extension project that brought together children from four municipal schools, two located in outlying neighborhoods and two located in the Pantanal wetlands, in the city of Corumbá, MS, and a circus show. The actions took place during the second semester of 2023. A variety show was created and performed, which included acrobatics, juggling, balancing acts and comic numbers, based on gags similar to those developed in the traditional circus. In schools in flooded areas, transportation by boat and the Pantanal environment create a unique and unforgettable experience for the children. After the performances, questionnaires were administered, and the children were asked to draw pictures based on the experience they had just had. In urban schools, the children have shown a preference for gags such as “abelha, abelhinha” and acrobatic duets, reflecting their fascination with comedy and physical strength. In the water schools, however, all the acts were portrayed in the drawings, and there was no predominance of just one, as in the previous case. The results show that the circus experience provided learning that had the children as protagonists, stimulating their imagination and creativity. The project demonstrates the importance of the circus as an educational and cultural tool, capable of creating lasting memories and enriching children's cultural and emotional development. Circus art evokes symbolic and social imagery and proves to be an ally of education, strengthening links between circus and childhood, even in unfavorable contexts, overcoming socio-economic barriers and providing meaningful experiences, reaffirming its cultural and educational value.