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History

Archaos, the French national circus center that has been based in Marseille since 2001, supports the creation, distribution, and performance of contemporary circus arts. Co-directed by Raquel Rache de Andrade, Guy Carrara, and Simon Carrara, Archaos created two biennial events: the larger Biennale Internationale des Arts du Cirque (the BIAC) takes place in odd-numbered years to celebrate and develop the contemporary circus and the smaller Entre2 BIAC is held in even-numbered years. Since 2015, these two events have become essential for both fans of the contemporary circus and professionals working in the circus and performing arts sector.

The Biennale Internationale des Arts du Cirque (the BIAC) is held in January and February and offers a shared program with some 50 cultural organizations in the Marseille metro area and across the South of France. Each partner co-constructs the event, pooling resources to make this circus festival an exceptional and memorable occasion.

Over the course of a month, the BIAC showcases the breadth and diversity of contemporary circus creation with nearly 300 performances of more than 60 shows, including several premieres. It also brings together several hundred professionals from the performing arts sector for international professionals for the Professional Forum and deploys big tops across the region to host shows that are both sophisticated and popular, notably at the Tent Village on the Prado beach in Marseille.

To maintain the link with the audiences and ensure that the contemporary circus maintains an important presence on the cultural landscape, in 2016 Archaos launched the Entre2 BIAC. This festival, which also runs for a month between January and February, offers a more intimate and focused version of the circus festival that is held exclusively in the Aix-Marseille metro area in even-numbered years.

As leading international events, the BIAC and the Entre2 BIAC contribute to the region’s cultural influence and appeal.

Areas of activity for the Archaos national circus center in Marseille

  • Residency program
  • The Rendez-vous Cirque series of workshop performances for shows being created that are open to the general public
  • Co-production support
  • Training courses for professionals
  • A space for open training for high-level circus performers
  • Workshops for amateurs
  • Numerous artistic and cultural education projects
Learn more about Archaos
BIAC
Download the progam (fr)
Past editions
© Biennale Internationale des Arts du Cirque
The BIAC is organised by the Archaos national circus center
Archaos