Around the world, we are in the midst of a circus education revolution. After centuries of circus know-how being passed from generation to generation or shared via apprenticeship, institutions dedicated to circus learning are emerging rapidly. In this special series, Amy Cohen explores specific institutions around the world that are contributing to the professional circus field via their role in the education and inspiration of young artists.

On November 18, 2013 The Economist published The World in Print 2014 Edition, a list of predictions for 81 countries around the world. In the issue, readers are warned of Latvia’s accession to the Euro zone, Spain’s intention to reign as world football champions, and the development of the automotive industry in Sweden. Of the Czech Republic, The Economist alerted readers to the emergence of new circus, encouraging them to save the date for the Circ-UFF festival in Trutnov in Northern Bohemia. The Czech Republic is in an unusual position. From 1948 to 1989, traditional circus was controlled entirely by the totalitarian communist regime. During the gestation period when many of the “contemporary” circus companies in...