Support your CircusDanceFestival
The Cologne-based CircusDanceFestival – one of the most progressive and thematically diverse festivals for contemporary circus and dance in Germany – is facing significant financial challenges in 2025. Alongside the announcement of the program for its 6th edition, the festival team is going public with information about the current funding gap and is reaching out directly to the public with its support campaign: “Support your CircusDanceFestival”.
For the first time since the festival’s inception, there will be no federal funding contributing to the 2025 festival budget. While the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the City of Cologne continue to support the festival, and the team has even secured European funding through a Creative Europe project, these public funds are not sufficient to cover the basic costs of the festival. General cost increases – such as high equipment rental fees and rising personnel costs – further aggravate the financial situation.
The festival’s greatest asset is its location: spreading out from the Latibul circus grounds in Cologne-Riehl into the public parkland along the Rhine meadows, the festival site offers a uniquely green and open atmosphere. With no fencing and free access, the festival has always been designed with a high percentage of free & outdoors programming. This year, 70% of the overall program is freely accessible. Additionally, an entire festival day is dedicated to families, with plenty of interactive programming aimed at young audiences.
The total available budget for 2025 – already reflecting significant cutbacks – amounts to €260,000. This is substantially lower than the budgets of previous years, which, including federal project funding, ranged between €400,000 and €600,000. Despite careful and frugal financial planning, the CircusDanceFestival is currently facing a projected shortfall of €65,000.
In response, the festival team has taken several measures, including shortening the festival period, implementing major cuts in planning, and coming up with creative ideas. It has built a solidarity network with local cultural institutions for mutual free equipment lending and launched an accommodation program where Cologne residents can offer guest rooms – or even their entire homes – to host international artists.
Despite ongoing uncertainty about financial stability, the festival team remains optimistic. With passion, energy, know-how, and enthusiasm, they are in the final stages of preparing this year’s edition, which will take place from June 6 to 8. They are excited to welcome Cologne’s local audience and numerous international guests.
To help preserve the CircusDanceFestival in its current form, the festival team invites all culture lovers to get involved. There are various ways to contribute – through donations, becoming a member of the festival’s circle of friends, or by purchasing an “Enabling Ticket”.
Be part of it and join in – Support your CircusDanceFestival!
How to support:
- Buy a Make it possible Card and directly contribute to keeping the festival alive.
- Make a donation of any amount to the CircusDanceFestival (tax-deductible donation receipt available). Bank details:
Atemzug e.V.
Ethik-Bank
DE84 8309 4495 0103 5016 63
Important: Please include the following in the payment reference: "Spende CircusDanceFestival"
- Become a member of CircusDanceFestival Freundeskreis, supporting it regularly with an annual membership fee.
- Get involved as a volunteer, host an artist overnight, or become a sponsor.
To the full press release
