Illuminating Stars of the New-Circus Sky to Dazzle at Letná
The French group Akoreacro first performed at Letná Letná ten years ago. Last year, they amazed the audience with a show on a truck trailer. This time, they are coming to the Czech Republic just after the world premiere of their new work, Ostinato, making the Letná Letná crowd among the very first to enjoy it. Additionally, Bêtes de foire are not entirely new to Letná Letná either. In their dreamlike circus performance, Décrochez-moi-ça (Take it off me), they continue their artistic journey with a poetic exploration of time, now enhanced by two multi-instrumentalists who will provide live accompaniment throughout the show. The central circular stage—the very core of the circus—constantly spins, transforming into a magical world, much like something out of a dream. Here, hats fly, coats are stacked, and the line between reality and illusion blurs, all harmonized perfectly with colors, sounds, and emotions.
The audience will be transported to a unique nomadic restaurant featuring a real menu thanks to the performance Les Grands Fourneaux #2 (The Great Fences) by the French duo Max & Maurice. After an impressive forty years, they are going on a last tour showcasing their most celebrated productions. Prepare for a wild adventure in a restaurant, where astonishing stories, skilled acrobatics, entertaining choreography, and musical improvisation unfold right between the tables.
Representing Canada, the country’s second most famous neo-circus group returns to Letenské sady. The artistic collective The 7 Fingers is well-known for its unique blend of different genres through acrobatics and innovative storytelling. In their production Duel Reality, they place an iconic love story in a competitive sports setting. Here, passions collide with rivalries and desires compete with tension. The Canadian group People Watching presents an enthralling new show called Play Dead, promising an experience that goes beyond the limits of reality. This Montreal-based troupe takes the visual allure of contemporary circus and pairs it with heartfelt artistry. They create a deeply intimate experience that combines acrobatics, dance, and physical theater, delivering a modern circus that is both delicate and impactful, ethereal and immersive.
Star Czech scene at Letná Letná
Every year, the Letní Letná festival showcases the vibrant Czech new circus scene. Performer and mime Michaela Stará explores themes related to Neighborhood relations and life on the estate in her show From next door! this performance is accompanied by a mesmerizing glimpse into the upcoming production, Les choix tremblants – Cirkus Nevkus, directed by Daniel Kvašňovský. There’s also the addition of Wild Geese, who will take young audiences from FysioArt & Move Ostrava on a circus journey, looking specifically at children aged six and up. This performance unfolds a tale about adventure, courage, and friendship, while also addressing the question: How do we connect with nature while taking only what we truly need? The show combines aspects of circus, dance, and movement-object theater, drawing upon Central European fairy tale heroes and Arctic sagas, along with experiences from Greenland and the Far East.
Alongside two premieres, Letní Letná also invites audiences to enjoy many other local new circus productions created over the past year. The festival kicks off with the spectacular Creation. It tells the myth of how the world was made through breathtaking acrobatics and fire, set to be retold on August 13 by Blackout Paradox. This international festival of new circus and theater runs through to the end of August in Letenské sady. A street dance and acrobatic performance named Creation draws freely from the ancient Greek creation myth. The Losers Cirque Company will present an impactful acrobatic collage about conquering fears titled Unbound. The seasoned group Cirk La Putyka leads the audience on an experimental project Hey Earth!, exploring our world. Plus, talented students from the troupe’s training platform, CLP Studio, will showcase a circus-like adventure called Swarming the other, which dives into the world of insects. The thoughtful piece Sisterhood by Holektiv takes a melancholic look at whether people can be classified solely as children or siblings. TUTOcirk will engage the crowd with a lively Ahoy’s boating comedy! And, of course, there will be the ever-popular Juggling Galashow, where both Czech and international artists showcase their diverse juggling talents.
Summer for children
The Letní Letná 2025 Festival is also designed with the youngest audience in mind, offering an exciting array of activities for children lasting from an hour up to an entire day. The Children’s tent in the shady area of Letenské sady will be alive with eventful programming from August 14 to 31, including theater, new circus acts, creative workshops, juggling, enchanting carousels, and exceptional outdoor experiences. A unique chance to learn circus skills will also be available through suburban camps organized by Letní Letná. Plus, parents can benefit from babysitting services during evening performances. A free interactive installation called Guixot de 8, created from recycled materials and inspired by an outdoor playroom from Catalonia, will be a hit for the entire family. Don’t miss the hand-carved Carver Matej Carousel and many other beautiful attractions. For children eager to learn, daily art sessions, as well as juggling and circus workshops led by experienced instructors, will be provided.
