Xirivella in November is full of steamy wigs, red noses and huge shoes thanks to the town's Clown Show. Along with the more traditional circus, you can find proposals from clown more risky and groundbreaking that experiment with genres and formats from all over Spain and internationally. From the beginning, fa 25 years, is in charge of the function Vicente González San Francisco, “San Fran”, culture technician from Xirivella City Council who talks to us in this interview about the evolution of the circus in general and the show in particular, of the programming that celebrates the quarter century and the benefits of laughter.
How has it changed in these 25 years the Show of Clowns and Clowns of Xirivella?
The Exhibition has evolved significantly, both quantitatively and qualitatively. It has always tried to offer a range of proposals where humour, and especially, he clown, were the most important. Throughout these years, difficult times have been overcome due to the economic crisis, but the most important thing has been the continuity. Many festivals are born but endure few editions. The public and, especially, the support of public institutions, have made the project consolidated and that we can celebrate this year 25 birthday.
I the circ in general, how it has evolved? Before the clowns went out to fill the time between performances, now they have their own entity and star in their own shows of more than an hour. Until the Circus of the Sun, where they are not protagonists, they have a specific weight within the story.
We can say that circuses have been gradually modernizing, they have improved the staging, music, the lighting… but the essence has always remained. The techniques are the same, although the presentation of the shows is much more careful. The form has changed but not the substance. The tent is no longer necessary to see a good circus show, new alternatives have opened up and artists are no longer part of those nomadic families that went from town to town. Now there are many ways to do circus and the audience is much more diverse, which causes that circus is currently scheduled, both on the street and in theaters.
What can we find in the program of activities prior to the festival with the qucelebrate these 25 years of experience?
A handful of cultural activities have been scheduled around the celebration, as for example, documentary cinema, book presentation, exhibition of photographs, laughter therapy workshop, number contest of clown…
Which country is invited this year?? What shows does it bring??
poland, with the clown Pina Polar and her show Donna Quixota. It's theater, physical comedy, clown, circus and storytelling on the basis of the Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes.
Tell us about the highlights of this show 25 issue.
The day 3 In November, the Guillem Alba Exhibition opens & The Marabunta with a show of clown energetic and energetic called The chaos of the clown, catapulted by the best live music. Then Leo Bassi will arrive with The last jester, dedicated to the new generations who rebel against the injustices and cynicism of power, with the hope that the rebellion and vitality of the jesters can be inspiring in these confusing times. The Ale Hop Circo Company brings the show Imagine circus where narrators, artists and beings from another time transport us to an unknown world of sumptuous and incredible characters; i the Herta Frankel Puppet Company presents wooden clowns, a small tribute to the great clowns of the 20th century.
“Monday before lunch, a girl went to play, but he couldn't play, because I had to wash…” This was so creepy that the clowns on TV sang a few years ago on public television. Consider the gender perspective when programming? How many clowns will you have this year??
The Mostra has had a special sensitivity to the issue of gender. An entire edition dedicated to clowns was even scheduled. In this year's edition we will have six clowns, in one-man shows or as part of some companies.
Finally, remember and remind us of three shows that have been important milestones during this quarter of a century.
The great Spanish pallasso Pepe Viyuela, the Russian clown troupe Licedei and the eccentric American clown Avner.
