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When the word ‘circus’ springs to mind – the immediate associations are clusters of clowns and trapeze artists swinging high above, performing gravity-defying acts for a cheering crowd. But Art Anywhere Association has shown an alternative perspective to the power of a ‘day of a circus’.
By using the concept of ‘social circus’, they have helped bring children from various ages and backgrounds together to heal, learn and have fun.
“A seedling idea – Art Anywhere Association started as only a circus show,” stated the co-founder Pınar Demiral. The idea came about as they wanted to bring happiness to Syrian children who were trying to cope with the disasters of war, and create a safe space for children from the local and refugee communities to bond.
Since 2011, many refugees have looked from Syria to neighbouring Turkey in search of safety - desperate to escape the bombings, shelling and violence, which continues to claim innocent lives day by day. Today more than 2.8 Syrian refugees live in Turkey – including many children and youth. International Medical Corps works across the country to provide support to families affected by the ongoing war.
Pınar added: “We started making festivals, but we couldn’t see the long-term impact we wanted, so we started this organisation to give social circus classes coupled with music and rhythm for children.”
Now, through the support of International Medical Corps and Switzerland State Secretariat for Migration, the Association provides courses for up to 150 children and youths per week.
When you walk in you will hear the bustling sounds of music and drums, see children practising walking on stilts and a young group of boys going over their break-dance routine.
The manager Mohamad Qasim, also known as Abu Khaled, explained: “Here, we are like friends and our hearts are one.”
Abu Khaled started managing the centre after he had seen the positive changes in his son who was attending the classes. Abu Khaled was a headmaster at a high school in Damascus before him and his family fled the war.
Now he has found his purpose once again. With the respect he has from the community, young boys and girls can attend the classes freely, leaving the cultural barriers outside the door. The young boys have learnt to respect the girls and everyone is treated equally.
The youths, who are known as the ‘circus heroes’, also teach the younger children and they have now become role models. Through a safe space where they feel respected they have been able to grow their confidence and self-esteem. They have become a big family.
One of the parents, Birgül Bilbay, said: “My daughter was always smart and good at school but now she is more confident, outspoken and through the people she has met she is more curious to learn. It is a good place for everyone - both locals and refugees.”
The only issue according to Pınar is the language barrier, which is broken down through circus. With children who speak both local and Syrian dialects of Arabic, Kurdish and Turkish the centre is a multicultural hub.
Through these classes Pınar wants the children to learn that they have the ability to change their circumstances. She added: “We want to show them that if they put their mind to it, they can do it. They can feel empowered.”
As the saying goes, from little acorns mighty oak trees grow - Art Anywhere Association shows that through planting the seeds of hope, step-by-step you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
