Zagreb Clown Festival 2025
The Zagreb Clown Festival is happening this week May 8-11, and it looks like I will be in attendance! (Not performing, just watching, networking, and drinking with the clowns)
The festival is now in its 6th year, and had over 77 shows apply to perform on the stage. This year the theme is clowning across cultures, and they strove to bring in clowns from various different cultures to perform.
The festival is sponsored and run by Triko Cirkus Teatar of Zagreb, whose director is Iva Peter-Dragan. They run a circus and clown school throughout the year, training kids, adults, and everyone in between, creating shows, workshops, parades, and serving as a circus center for the city and for the country.
In addition to the 6 shows listed below, Avner Eisenberg is giving a workshop May 7-9 at the theatre. Avner will also be performing in the Cabaret on the closing day of the festival, as will Hilary Chaplain. It’s going to be a great event!
A festival pass to see all of the shows is 40 euros and is available on site.
To find out more about the festival, visit their website:
Zagreb Clown Festival
ZAGREB CLOWN FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING
Avner Eisenberg “Avner the Eccentric” Workshop- May 7-9. Avner is one of the top clown teachers still working. He teaches and performs all over the world. One of his mottos that the festival has taken to heart is “Be Interested, not Interesting.”
AVANTI – Compagnia Due (Switzerland) May 8 at 8 pm. Two students of the famous Swiss clown Dimitri (Andreas Manz and Bernard Stöckli bring an emotional clown story about a little man who becomes a giant through his performance.
Jef Johnson in Azar May 9, at 8 pm A Master of abstract clownery has created an interactive experience to amaze and delight audiences.
Joanna Bassi The Innocence of Humor, May 10 8 pm A descendent from a long line of circus stars, Joanna Bassi will share personal photos and stories especially about the white clown.
Ricardo Cornelius, Soloni, May 10, 8 pm A Latin American clown that combines humor and emotional depth through the depiction of his personal fight against gravity…
Clemence Caillouel, The Réquiem of Sophie Withman, May 10, 10 pm Reinterpreting the requiem through clown poetics, dark burlesque, and a reimagining of human tragedy.
The closing night cabaret, May 11, 8 pm, featuring performances by Avner Eisenberg, Hilary Chaplain, and a number of Croatian Clowns.