Hungarian message echoes through circuses worldwide on World Circus Day
A special message from Hungary is being shared in circuses around the globe in celebration of World Circus Day, announced the Capital Circus of Budapest (Fővárosi Nagycirkusz) in a statement on Friday.
The announcement highlights that 19 April marks the most significant international celebration of circus arts. To honour the occasion, Péter Fekete, Director General of the National Centre for Circus Arts, addressed his message to all Hungarian and international circus artists as a gesture of respect and appreciation.
Describing the circus ring as a “halo laid upon the ground,” Fekete poetically wrote:
“It’s a sawdust-scented, enormous dish in God’s palm.”
The Jászai Mari Award-winning artist and Meritorious Artist of Hungary called the circus ring a sacred space — a sanctuary of miracles made possible through human willpower, perseverance, and mutual attention. “A place where hard work, determination, and absolute unity of the team give birth to wonder.”
He described the ring as “a special 13-metre circle where conflict remains outside — where a person with brown skin stands on the shoulders of someone white, where a Muslim supports a Christian, where a Ukrainian helps a Russian, and where there are no giants or dwarfs, only work and determination. Mutual respect, complementing one another!”
“Hundreds, even thousands, sit in circular rows. They come day after day and marvel: is this really possible? A world without hatred, strife, or war. Helping one another, trusting completely in each other,” Fekete’s message continues.
“If you tilt one way, I’ll move the other — I’ll balance you, I’ll support you. Even if it takes performing without a safety net or harness. With shared sweat and shared laughter. Gritted teeth and explosive applause. Is this really possible? Yes, it is.”
He emphasised how people return day after day, trying to learn by watching, bringing their sons and daughters, their grandparents and neighbours — “because this, they must also see!”
“Because they realise — this is the way. The only way that’s truly worth it,” Fekete concluded in his message for World Circus Day.
World Circus Day has been celebrated every year on the third Saturday of April since 2007. Initially recognised as European Circus Day until 2010, the celebration has since expanded globally. Today, travelling and stationary circuses, independent contemporary circus troupes, circus artists and workers, and fans of the art form all join in the tribute.
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