Find out more about the Eurovision Magic Circus Show, an annual children’s circus show organised by the European Broadcasting Union and Swiss broadcaster RTS.
What was the Eurovision Magic Circus Show?
The Eurovision Magic Circus Show was held between 2010 and 2012 featuring children aged between 6 and 15 years old. The competition was hosted by the Swiss broadcaster RTS and took place in a circus tent of Circus Pajazzo in Chêne-Bougeries.
The show was first presented at the Eurovision TV congress in May 2009 by RTS and Damien Otte. Promotion of the event began in the spring of 2010, with the contest formally launched in October of 2010. At it’s launch the EBU explained the show as:
An entertainment programme to be broadcast during the holiday season at the end of each year. It is a rich mix of diverse circus acts involving children with a special circus talent from various European countries. Each participating TV channel holds a casting session for children from circus schools, resulting in a selection of three acts per country. With the help of their teacher or coach, these acts then prepare their performances individually or together. The ultimate goal is to take part in a circus show recorded in Geneva under the real big top of the Christmas Circus. The gala will consist of at least 18 acts and the show will be accompanied by the Magic Circus Orchestra.
2010 Edition
Six broadcasters participated in the first edition of the show which was filmed on November 27. The six broadcasters were:
- Belgium – VRT
- France – France 3
- Netherlands – TROS
- Portugal – RTP
- Russia – RTR
- Switzerland – RTS
Seventeen different acts featuring more than sixty children participated in the show, the running order was as follows:
- Russia – Nikulin’s Duet – Acrobatics
- Netherlands – Kim & Siard – Gymnastics
- France – Baptiste – Unicycle
- Switzerland – Leila – Gymnastics
- Portugal – Sofia – Gymnastics
- Switzerland – Mirko – Illusionist
- Russie – Pink Flamingo – Gymnastics
- Belgium – Belgian Cabaret – Acrobatics
- Russia – Air Equilibrits – Acrobatics
- Switzerland – Frédérik – Diabolo
- France – Laurane & Margot – Rhythmic gymnastics
- France – Constance – Acrobatics
- Netherlands – Nigel – Juggler
- Portugal – Alfonso & Bruna – Illusionist
- Netherlands – Selina – Gymnastics
- Belgium – Manon & Stien – Gymnastics
- Russia – Dzhigite – Acrobatics
The show was also broadcast by; Belarus (BTRC), Canada (TV5), Italy (Rai), Slovenia (RTVSLO), Ukraine (NTU).
2011 Edition
The 2011 edition was held on November 26 and was hosted by Christian Baumann. NTU who had broadcast the first show in 2010 joined the event as a participating broadcaster. The list of broadcasters were:
- Belgium – VRT
- France – France 3
- Netherlands – TROS
- Portugal – RTP
- Russia – RTR
- Switzerland – RTS
- Ukraine – NTU
More than 70 children participated in the show. The order of performances was as follows:
- France – Léo – Acrobatics
- Ukraine – Your Reflections – Gymnastics
- Portugal – Ruben – Juggler
- Russia – Eccentric Chaplin – Tight Rope
- Switzerland – Duo Momocycle – Unicycle
- Netherlands – Tight Rope – Tight Rope
- Belgium – Ze Boyz – Diabolo
- Russia – Sergei – Balance
- Portugal – Trio CaroMeliCata – Gymnastics
- France – Duo Momocycle – Aerial acrobatics
- Netherlands – Dancing Dragon – Acrobatics
- Switzerland – Duo Mât Pendulaire – Gymnastics
- France – Le Train – Acrobatics
- Netherlands – Illusionist
- Russia – Friendly Family – Acrobatics
- Ukraine – Violinist – Tight rope
- Belgium – While Wheel – Wheel gymnastics
- Switzerland – Due Trapèze Comique – Trapeze
- Belgium – Andreas – Juggler
- Ukraine – Angela – Acrobatics
2012 Edition
The final edition of the Eurovision Magic Circus Show was held in 2012. Three nations made their debut appearances; Armenia (AMPTV), Bulgaria (BNT) and Ireland (RTE), while Ukraine withdrew from the show. The list of broadcasters were:
- Armenia – AMPTV
- Belgium – VRT
- Bulgaria – BNT
- France – France 3
- Ireland – RTE
- Netherlands – TROS
- Portugal – RTP
- Russia – RTR
- Switzerland – RTS
The show was filmed on November 17 with over 60 children taking part. The order of performances was as follows:
- Armenia – Milena – Acrobatics
- Portugal – Suspensas Pelo Fado – Aerial acrobatics
- Russia – Ivan – Balance
- Ireland – Patrick & Maria – Gymnastics
- Switzerland – Jean & Gabin – Unicycle
- France – Antonie – Gymnastics
- Armenia – Lusine – Aerial acrobatics
- Bulgaria – Ian Ayvon – Illusionist
- Netherlands – The Magic Box – Comic acrobatics
- Switzerland – Noémie – Aerial acrobatics
- Portugal – Cats – Rhythmic gymnastics
- Belgium – Tom – Juggling
- The Netherlands – Cops & Robbers – Acrobatics and juggling
- Russia – Liza – Aerial acrobatics
- Armenia – Sargis & Davit – Acrobatics
- Ireland – Donnacha – Diabolo
- France – Tommy & Vincent – Pole dancing
- Belgium – Acrobatiek Stewardesses – Acrobatics
Source: EBU