At the 2014 Circa Festival, in Auch, France, the French Institute for Programmers and Cultural Agents brought together 80 people from all over the world for Circus Focus, a meeting designed to introduce professionals to some new French productions. María Folguera shares her experience at the conference.

“Before jumping on the teeterboard I’d like somebody to hug me, as if I were leaving for war,” says Amanda Lund to the expectant audience under the circus tent. The first volunteer comes out and hugs her. Two more people, and then two more, form a collective hug. We all applaud, touched by the delicate moment in the middle of an apparently messy show, made of fanfare and an undeniable sense of party. It’s Maintenant ou jamais (Now or Never) by Cirque Tsuica company. We’re in Circa Festival, Auch, France, a must for anyone looking forward to finding new French circus projects. “Now or Never” is also the slogan of the 2014 edition of this meeting for premieres, circus schools exhibitions, and professionals from all over the world. The local people from Auch share the excitement: hundreds of volunteers get involved, audiences of all ages attend the shows, and the shops in town decorate their windows with circus motifs. ...