Workshop Overview
Cirqueon, Czech Republic
BLIND CIRCUS !
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DATES: 28 April – 3 May '15 LOCATION: Prague & Letohrad, Czech Republic TUTORS: Adam Jarchovský, Katka Klusáková, Terezie Kochová & Markéta Vachulová
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Objective To share tools and working practices developed by Prague circus teachers of Blind Circus, to teach circus skills to blind participants including; object manipulation, aerial and floor acrobatics and equilibristics
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Participant Profile The workshop was intended for circus teachers interested in social circus activities Schedule Five days workshop including two days in Prague for training preparation in the theoretical aspects of teaching Blind Circus in preparation for travelling to Letohrad to attend the annual meeting of the Association of Families with Visually Impaired Children to work with blind children and families and assistants and teachers
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Tutors Adam Jarchovský and Katka Klusáková are head teachers of youth classes at Cirqueon. Adam is a professional juggler who studied social work, Katka is a professional aerialist and also an absolvent of pedagogical faculty. They are leading Czech professionals in the field of youth and social circus. Terezie Kochová and Markéta Vachulová are lecturers in sport activities and assistance to people with visual impairment. They are both active in the Czech Association of Families with Children with Visual Impairment.
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Methodology The daily workshops focussed on the methodology developed by CIRQUEON and the ethos of the program, which emphasises trust, closeness and cooperation. Risk is a fundamental element of circus and is true for both those who can see as well as those who are visually impaired. Modification of the environment allows for integration and inclusion and as such modified disciplines taught included manipulation, equilibristics and floor and aerial acrobatics. Participants learned theory and practical ways to create a friendly, non-competitive environment for learning through play which is the most natural way to acquire new skills for all abilities.
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Outcomes
Participants gained theoretical understanding and experienced practical learning about how to teach circus skills to blind participants. They were then able to use their experience in an environment that included blind children and families and assistants and teachers.
ENCI
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