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Briain Kelly, 28 Aug
Galway Community Circus, in partnership with New Horizon Athlone, the
Gateway Youth Project UBU, Foróige and the Athlone Community Taskforce,
delivered a transformative two-week circus programme in Athlone to support
the physical and mental wellbeing of refugee youth and young people in
Direct Provision.
The programme, called ‘Big Tops to Big Dreams’, culminated in a vibrant
event on Saturday 10th of August at Burgess Park which featured a
colourful parade, circus workshops, and a captivating performance titled
‘Resilience’.
Funded by the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund in partnership with
Business to Arts, ‘Big Tops to Big Dreams’ brought together youth
participants, circus and arts educators, youth workers, translators, and
community partners to explore circus skills, performance techniques, and
engage in meaningful discussions around learning.
Led by experienced circus educator Pete Duncan, the programme provided an
enriching environment where participants could learn, express themselves,
and build lasting connections with their peers.
“We are immensely proud of what the young people have achieved through
this programme,” said Pete Duncan.
“The performance of ‘Resilience’ was a true testament to their hard work,
creativity, and the strong bonds they’ve formed. Circus has given them a
powerful platform to express themselves and build confidence. I work all
across Europe and this is one of the best teams and best events of the
last decade.”
The event kicked off with a lively parade, leading participants and
attendees to the big top tent at Burgess Park. The atmosphere was filled
with excitement as participants led circus workshops for their peers,
allowing attendees to try their hand at various circus skills.
The highlight of the afternoon was the performance, scripted and compered
by one of the young performers, that showcased the skills and creativity
the participants had developed over the course of the programme.
“New Horizon has been working with displaced people in Athlone for 24
years and we can safely say that this was the best event ever,” said Gerry
Callaghan, Chair of New Horizon Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support.
“These young people have been trained by their life experiences, both
outside and inside Ireland, to make themselves invisible. It’s so
incredibly empowering to put on stilts and swagger around the town. They
will cherish this memory for all their days.”
“The skills our young people learned in a mere 12 hours were skills they
will take forward in life,” said Shelly Dunican, Youth Officer at Gateway
Youth Project UBU.
“’Resilience’ was a fitting name as the young people who came in on day
one had grown significantly in confidence by day six. As a youth worker I
am honoured to have been a part of this experience with them and I learned
just as much as they did.”
“The ‘Resilience’ circus skills show was a great way to showcase and
highlight these young people’s newfound skills and was a big way to end
their circus journey for this year.”
Lynn Carroll, Executive Director at Galway Community Circus, added, “This
programme has been an incredible journey for everyone involved.
“It was truly heart-warming to see the joy and pride on the faces of the
participants as they performed, and in their families as they watched.”
“‘Big Top to Big Dreams’ has been an invaluable experience in helping
these young people feel more connected to their community and more
confident in themselves.”
The success of the programme would not have been possible without funding
from the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund in partnership with
Business to Arts, and the collaborative efforts of New Horizon Refugee and
Asylum Seeker Support, the Gateway Youth Project UBU, Foróige and Athlone
Community Taskforce.
These partnerships have played a crucial role in ensuring that the
programme provided a supportive and inclusive environment for all
participants.