Circus artists will take over the city

The 14th edition of the Carnaval Sztukmistrzów festival is scheduled to take place from July 27th to July 30th, 2023, in Lublin’s Old Town. The festival will feature 5 street performers who will compete in the busker competition. However, that’s not all! Prepare yourselves for a mind-blowing spectacle as the streets of Lublin become a vibrant playground for the circus artists to showcase their extraordinary talents. Brace for a thrilling takeover as the circus performers unleash their awe-inspiring acts!  We have planned an open and freely accessible street programme, which includes breathtaking evening shows, outdoor spectacles, and street concerts. Tickets for closed performances can still be purchased through the Going app. Carnaval visitors can look forward to a variety of street shows, duo acts, solos, musicians, and buskers, all in the streets, squares, and charming corners of the Old Town in Lublin. This year’s edition of the event is one of the highlights of the European Youth Capital Lublin 2023.

About the shows

The street performances and shows are the heart and driving force of the Festival. The light-hearted and playful nature of the performances, as well as the close interaction with the audience, have become an integral part of the  event. The street shows provide a perfect opportunity to bring art literally closer to the people, make it accessible to all, and create unforgettable memories, says Iwona Kornet, the Festival’s director.

The highlight of this year’s edition is the long-awaited performance in Zamkowy Squarw, which has been eagerly anticipated by loyal Carnaval spectators. Brace yourself for “Arret d’Urgence,” an electrifying show by the talented French group Akoreacro. Picture this: a moving stage on a truck, blasting music, mind-blowing acrobatics, and a spectacle that will leave you speechless.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! Litewski Square will be taken over by the incredible Czech artists, who will bring a whole new level of excitement on Thursday and Friday. Prepare to be mesmerized by the combined forces of Blackout Paradox, Novogo Fronta Theater, and Sacra Circus as they dive into the enchanting world of the sea with their performance, “Nautilus.” Get ready for an adrenaline-packed experience with acrobatics, dazzling light shows, mesmerising shadow play, fire dance, and mind-blowing pyrotechnic effects that will leave you breathless.

The streets will come alive with the incredible performances of Cia. Langostura, Tres de la nada, and the grand finale of the “The Return of the Magician”, on tour with the festival “Following I.B Singer’s Traces”, featuring a multicultural ensemble of artists. Prepare to be astonished by Cia. Langostura’s mind-boggling balancing acts using glasses and a towering 6-meter pole. Tres de la nada will join forces with the audience to solve a thrilling hydro enigma. Keep an eye out for the dynamic duo Ludo & Arsene, the extraordinary wanderers armed with a ladder, as they conquer urban spaces with their fearless parkour skills. And let’s not forget the musical magic brought by Valeria’s Klezmer Chariot, a lively and eclectic band led by the charismatic clarinettist Valeria. They will unleash a whirlwind of joyous melodies, transforming po Farze Square into a dancing frenzy, as they wrap up this year’s Carnaval in spectacular style on Sunday evening.

The organisers of the Urban Highline Festival, which accompanies Carnaval from its very beginning, have once again cooked up some street delights for all you thrill-seekers out there. Brace yourselves for the grand premiere of “Slack Sensation”, a mind-boggling spectacle accompanied by the sweet serenades of a cello. But that’s not all! Hold onto your hats as the sensational Spanish freestyler, David “Sakalomo” Paloma, takes the highline to gravity-defying extremes. Highline Freestyle takes highlining to a whole new level as the artist, using bounce lines, executes incredibly complex body spins.

Catch all the action on Friday and Saturday at 4 PM, where a suspended line between Krakowska Gate and the City Hall will become the stage for pure awesomeness. Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled experience like no other!

Evening shows

Valeria’s Klezmer Chariot – concert (SWE)

Experience the enchanting world of Valeria’s Klezmer Chariot as they take you on a journey through joyous Eastern European music! Get ready to dance with joy and clap along to the infectious rhythms of the accordion and tuba, while being mesmerised by the virtuosic and passionate clarinet improvisations. Valeria’s Klezmer Chariot presents a diverse repertoire that includes exotic arrangements of Klezmer and Balkan melodies, Yiddish and Hebrew songs, as well as original Klezmer compositions written by the talented lead clarinettist, Valeria Conte. Hailing from Italy, Valeria has travelled extensively through Scandinavia before settling in Stockholm, where she has assembled a dynamic Klezmer band consisting of vibrant and eclectic musicians. Prepare to be swept off your feet by their energetic performance and the captivating tapestry of sounds they create.

Admission free

Compagnie Akoreacro “Arret d’Urgence” (FRA)

Imagine a trailer that magically turns into a sensational, multifunctional circus stage, complete with trampolines and trapeze structures. Inhabiting this wondrous space is a group of talented acrobats, each a virtuoso in their own right. As accidents and mishaps unfold, they are met with incredible aerial displays and harmonious melodies. Throughout the entire performance, a concert is performed, as musicians and acrobats come together, defying gravity and creating a magnificent circus symphony.

The show was made possible with the financial support of the French Institute in Warsaw. 

Admission free, no age restrictions

Blackout Paradox & Teatr Novogo Fronta & Sacra Circus “Nautilius” (CZE)

Step into a world of whimsy and wonder, where adventure knows no bounds and fantastical creatures come to life. Inspired by the timeless tales of Jules Verne, this theatrical marvel unfolds within a magnificent 7-metre geodesic dome. With its self-supporting structure, the dome becomes a canvas for a mesmerising fusion of artistic disciplines. Prepare to be amazed as acrobats defy gravity, lights dance in harmony, shadows weave captivating stories, larger-than-life puppets take centre stage, and a fiery dance accompanied by pyrotechnic wizardry whisks you away on a journey through the ethereal skies and the mysterious depths of the ocean.

Admission free, no age restrictions

Street shows

Cia. Langostura “Copa Copin” (URY / ARG/ FRA)

The show draws inspiration from an artistic vision of the infinite universe, where acrobatics and balance are the main focus, creating illusions and providing entertainment. Every detail of the show is meticulously planned, and three talented acrobats gracefully navigate through life, captivating the audience with their remarkable balancing acts. Get ready for a rip-roaring show that will leave your abs begging for mercy!

Admission free, no age restrictions

Be Flat “Ludo & Arsène”  (BEL)

Step right up and witness the extraordinary acrobatic duo, ‘Ludo & Arsène’! They’ve been a team since 2014, cooking up a storm of wild ideas that know no bounds, conquering every space, organiser, and audience that comes their way! This adventurous pair roams the festival grounds. They have an important mission to fulfil, but are constantly getting sidetracked by curious onlookers! What are they to do? They simply can’t resist the allure of such a fantastic crowd! And so, a joyous spectacle begins, with the audience becoming active participants in the whimsical journey!

Equipped with their trusty ladder, which serves as their secret weapon, they perform mind-boggling acrobatic feats that will leave you in awe! Get ready for endless laughter and an unforgettable experience with this zany and inventive duo! They’ll infect you with their boundless energy and leave you with memories to treasure!

Admission free, no age restrictions

The “Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre” Centre – “The Magician’s Friends” (international)

Get ready to be spellbound by an enchanting open-air theatrical extravaganza that seamlessly weaves together the realms of circus and theatre! Brace yourself for breathtaking aerial acrobatics, captivating dance performances, mesmerising fire shows, mind-boggling hula hoop acts, dazzling cyr wheel maneuvers, mind-blowing beatboxing, and soul-stirring live music, all brought to life by an international ensemble of extraordinary artists from Italy, Greece, the USA, Sweden, Peru, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland.

Hold your breath as the curtain falls on this magnificent spectacle at Carnaval Sztukmistrzów, marking the grand finale of the illustrious International Festival “Following I.B. Singer’s Traces”, meticulously curated by the visionary minds at the “Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre” Centre. In its mesmerising 13th edition, this ethereal festival, masterfully guided by the artistic prowess of Arkadiusz Ziętek, has traversed numerous towns in the picturesque Lublin region, leaving a trail of awe-inspiring memories in its wake.

Year after year this extraordinary production takes on a familiar title yet unveils an entirely new and spellbinding experience, expertly crafting a tapestry that intertwines the captivating story of Yasha Mazur, the literary “Magician from Lublin,” with the evocative narratives and performances skillfully delivered by the handpicked guest artists.

Immerse yourself in this otherworldly celebration where reality and imagination meld seamlessly, and be transported to a realm where dreams become tangible, and the power of art knows no bounds.

Admission free, no age restrictions

Tres de la Nada “H2Ooops” (POL/ESP)

“H2Oooops” is a journey into the centre of the earth and back in search of the life-giving spring. The audience watch as Javier, Sergio and Jorge scurry around the city doing their best to find what they are looking for. To find help in their quest, they turn to technology, the spectators and even supernatural forces. Their determination and obstinacy lead them to try a variety of ideas – from simple to totally crazy. The artists’ dedication is reflected in the emotions they evoke, the dynamics of the show and either the final success or a spectacular failure of the exploration project. Juggling, clowning, wit, dance, illusion and a truly deep story are the foundations on which Tres de La Nada have built their show.

Admission free, no age restrictions

Slack Sensation (POL/AUT)

Get ready to enter the thrilling world of slacklining! It’s not just about balancing on a thin line above the heads of passersby; it’s a heart-pumping acrobatic adventure!  This artistic twist on slacklining will be showcased in the sensational premiere show, “Slack Sensation”!

This Polish-Austrian duo (Filip Oleksik and Moritz Purer) will unleash their acrobatic prowess on jaw-droppingly narrow 5-centimetre-wide lines, accompanied by the mesmerising melodies of cellist Zofia Bętkowska. They will take you on a theatrical journey filled with mind-bending flips, daring acrobatics, and adrenaline-pumping acts that will send chills down your spine!

Admission free, no age restrictions