Arabic version: الكبار يحتضنون مهارات السيرك من أجل الفرح والرفاهية
According to The Guardian,
Circus classes tailored for individuals over 50 are gaining popularity as participants seek to rediscover their youth and improve their health. Rumman Talukder, a 60-year-old IT consultant, exemplifies this trend by traveling weekly to a circus school in Ware to practice his favorite trick, the Mermaid. He expresses that this experience makes him feel “strong and graceful” and challenges the stereotypes associated with aging.
Generation Circus, a program in Hertfordshire, has seen success with its pilot project for older adults, now offering weekly sessions. Their oldest participant is almost 97 years old. Meanwhile, the National Centre for Circus Arts in London has just begun classes for older people and is due to launch a six-week aerial course later this year. In Eastbourne, Sweet Circus recently started monthly sessions, all seeking funding to expand their offerings.
Emma Taylor, founder of Generation Circus, notes that many participants initially joined for fitness but quickly found themselves immersed in the joy of circus arts. She highlights the social benefits, as members form a team spirit, combating loneliness—a significant issue for many older adults in the UK.
The transformative impact of circus training is evident in the stories of participants like Carol Masson, 70, who candidly admitted that she might not be here today were it not for circus school. Others, like Claire Howard, who uses a wheelchair and has had 121 transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs), have also found empowerment through adapted circus skills, showcasing that age and physical limitations do not preclude the pursuit of joy and creativity. Diane Bernier from the National Centre for Circus Arts emphasizes that circus helps older individuals realize that they can continue to learn and grow, regardless of age.
