In 1982 Brazil joined the international movement inaugurating its official circus school. The decision came from the desire of some circus families who had been circulating within the Brazilian territory for over a century. There is no doubt that the emergence of the National Circus School, renamed in 2017 as ENCLO (Escola Nacional de Circo Luiz Olimecha) represents one of the major events in the long tradition of circus in Brazil. Considering the many achievements throughout ENCLO’s trajectory, we would like to highlight two of them: the deep renovation of its headquarters in 2013, providing an excellent facility for a professional circus education; and the recognition of the “professionalizing” diploma in 2015. It is also worth remembering that in 1998 ENCLO students won the Silver Medal at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain (France). In its almost 40 years, ENCLO has trained more than 2500 artists, who performed in circus shows around the world, consolidating the institution as an international reference.

However, the importance of ENCLO was not enough to prevent its existence from being recently threatened. In an unprecedented action, the National Arts Foundation (FUNARTE)(1) was totally modified, with immediate effect on ENCLO as well. In June 2020, in the middle of a pandemic, when everyone needs good governance, the management of the school was changed, resulting in a long period of silence and non-communication with students. Furthermore, in December 2020, Funarte announced that ENCLO’s facilities needed to be renovated, so the place would be used for another purpose and that the student’s circus activities would be transferred to a new location. Several non-democratic decisions were made, without any attempt at dialogue with the school’s community (teachers, students, staff…). This is an indication that the RED LIGHT has turned on: We are in CRISIS! ENCLO is about to close! ...