What kind of workshops we specialize in facilitating?
Reflections on Katja Tuuli’s workshops in Social Circus seminar in Turin
Sorin Sirkus participated in a Social Circus seminar held in Turin, Italy, on 18–19 April 2026, which brought together professionals, instructors, and practitioners from around the world. The two-day seminar offered a diverse program of lectures, discussions, and workshops on themes related to social circus. At the seminar, Sorin Sirkus’s Head of Social Circus and International Activities, Katja Tuuli, led two workshops focusing on wellbeing, embodied practices, trauma-sensitivity and resilience.
Workshop on wellbeing, trauma-sensitivity and embodies practices
One of Katja’s workshops addressed wellbeing, trauma-sensitivity and embodied practices, combining theory with practical exercises. The workshop began with a simple breathing exercise that helped participants return to the present moment and observe their own bodies. A key theme was recognizing one’s own emotions and reactions and understanding how they influence interaction with others. Participants reflected, for example, on what their emotions reveal about themselves and how these emotions may be reflected in others.
A central idea that emerged was that trauma-sensitivity is an approach that takes into account people’s diverse backgrounds and experiences without requiring the processing of trauma itself. At its core is the creation of a safe and respectful environment where everyone can participate from their own starting points and be met as individuals, with their needs taken into account.
The juggling robot as a tool for learning
Katja also highlighted the potential of circus as a tool for learning and personal growth. She emphasised that circus provides a unique environment where failure is a valuable part of the learning process. For example, a juggling ball falling to the ground can teach self-compassion, encourage trying again and help participants understand that progress often emerges through failure.
In the workshop, participants engaged in a practical exercise called the “juggling robot,” where they were able to experience in practice the idea that failure is an essential part of learning. The exercise made visible how mistakes can lead to learning, development, and a more compassionate attitude toward oneself.
The importance of encounter and presence in learning
The workshop also included an exercise in which participants moved freely in space and greeted one another. The key element was that each person could choose how to greet the other. This simple exercise highlighted how we encounter other people. At the same time, it built trust and respected participants’ personal boundaries and choices.
By combining different approaches such as embodiment, trauma-sensitivity, and interaction, it is possible to create learning environments where participants’ agency can emerge. The workshop left behind the idea that trauma-sensitivity is a continuous process. It is formed through small actions, encounters, and the willingness to be present even in uncertain moments.
Fishbolw discussion on the resilience of cultural organisations
At the Turin seminar, Katja also facilitated a fishbowl discussion on the wellbeing and resilience of cultural organisations. In the discussion, four participants sat in the inner circle speaking, while the outer circle observed and joined in at intervals, bringing multiple perspectives to the topic.
At the heart of the discussion was the question of how cultural organisations can operate sustainably in uncertain conditions. Sustainability was seen as a continuous balancing act between everyday realities and available resources. Financial challenges, scarcity of resources, and workload pressures emerged as key issues.
Trust, community, and appreciation were identified as key building blocks of sustainability. The discussion also emphasised humanity in working life, preventing burnout, and the unsustainability of constant performance. Safe spaces where vulnerability is possible, as well as involving young people and strengthening community support, were seen as important factors in building resilience. Finally, the discussion turned toward the future. Themes such as openness to change and accepting failure emerged. The discussion highlighted that sustainability is built through continuous dialogue between people, values, and structures.
Welcome to the 2026 professional training programs. Baby and family circus training focuses on learning and sharing methods for baby, toddler and family circus activities. Games Exchange Beyond focuses on the pedagogical and theoretical foundations behind the games, warm-ups, and participatory group activities used in circus and social circus contexts.
Please read the travel instructions and information carefully before registering. Welcome to join us to learn and get inspired!
Baby and Family circus training
The training focuses on learning and sharing methods for baby, toddler and family circus activities. We are going to explore a lot of practical exercises, discuss about the reasons behind certain kind of exercises and ensure the safety of the movements. The training will be facilitated by experienced instructors from Sorin Sirkus.
Details of Baby and Family Circus training:
- Date: Thu 15th – Fri 16th October, 2026 (2 days + 2 travel days)
- Time: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM on both days
- Location: Sorin Sirkus, Ahlmanintie 63, Tampere, Finland
- Maximum number of participants: 25
- Price: € 50 per participant, to be paid on site by card or cash. Sorin Sirkus will reimburse travel and accommodation costs according to separate instructions below.
- Deadline for registration is Friday 25th September, 2026
Games Exchange: Beyond the Games
This training explores the pedagogical and theoretical foundations behind the games, warm-ups, and participatory group activities used in circus and social circus contexts. Building on the practical methods introduced in previous Game Exchange workshops, this advanced session focuses on facilitation, group dynamics, embodied learning, and trauma-sensitive approaches in practice.
Rather than introducing games only as activities, the workshop examines why certain methods work, how they influence participation and group processes, and how facilitators can intentionally build safety, engagement, creativity, and collective learning through playful structures.
Through discussion, reflection, and practical exploration, participants are invited to deepen their understanding of play as a pedagogical and relational tool across circus, youth work, arts education, and community settings.
The training will be facilitated by Adam from Cirqueon and Katja from Sorin Sirkus.
Details of Games Exchange: Beyond the Games
- Date: Tue 3th – Wed 4th November, 2026 (2 days + 2 travel days)
- Time: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM on both days
- Location: Sorin Sirkus, Ahlmanintie 63, Tampere, Finland
- Maximum number of participants: 25
- Price: € 50 per participant, to be paid on site by card or cash. Sorin Sirkus will reimburse travel and accommodation costs according to separate instructions below.
- Deadline for registration is Friday 16th October, 2026
Important information
The workshops’ teaching language is English. Spots to both workshops will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Accommodation and travel expenses will be reimbursed up to a specified amount by Sorin Sirkus, upon presentation of receipts. Participants are responsible for booking their own accommodation, which will be reimbursed along with travel costs by Sorin Sirkus. The training is made possible through Erasmus+ Accreditation funding, and therefore we adhere to their travel regulations.
Registration is binding. After registering, you can only cancel your attendance due to illness with a valid medical certificate.
To be eligible for travel reimbursement, the following conditions must be fulfilled:
- participants must commit to the full program
- participant needs to have two separate travel days
- participant needs to send travel documents and receipts by email to travel@sorinsirkus.fi.
- participant needs to answer to two feedback forms, one sent by EU and one from Sorin Sirkus
If you have anything to ask, please send an email to travel@sorinsirkus.fi.
You are warmly welcome to learn and share with us!
Christmas Show Noctua
Dusk falls and the lights in the circus tent shut off. The audience has left, and the circus performers have gone back to their caravans. The silence is broken by the lonely cries of an owl.
The Christmas Show Noctua takes viewers of all ages into the magical and dreamlike world of the circus and the stories hidden within the old circus tent. This traditional Christmas-time event offers spectacular acrobatics, excitement, and memorable moments in the world of circus arts. Shining on stage are the young performers of Sorin Sirkus Performance Group, who are supported by a team of skilled professionals.
The 2025 Christmas Show Soriversum drew over 12,000 spectators to Tampere. The show, produced in honor of Sorin Circus’s 40th anniversary, set an attendance record, and tickets sold out in record time.
The Christmas show Noctua premieres on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM. Read more about the event, the performers, and the production team here.
Tickets for the event are available through Tiketti
Tickets can be purchased online at tiketti.fi and directly at any R-kiosk under the event name. Ticket reservations and tickets already purchased can also be picked up at any R-kiosk using the order number. In addition to R-kiosks, there are a few other sales points; all are listed here. When purchasing online, you can also choose free delivery via the Kivra digital mail service.
Tiketti’s customer service is available to individual and group customers primarily at hei@tiketti.fi and by phone at 0600-1-1616.
Dusk is falling. Are you ready for a new adventure?