Galapiat Cirque

A common dream and aspiration to travel to South America, live and perform circus are the founding principles of the Galapiat Company.
The realisation of the trip took time: to create a show, give a structure to the organisation, build a home port in Brittany, buy a Big Top and set up projects in localities where circus is not often to be seen.

The big trip to South America most probably started in Brittany in 2006. Touring in France was to be a test to better venture into unknown territories.
Five years later, the members of Galapiat Company set foot for the first time on the South American continent, full of hopes and expectations. Their wish is to meet the people living in underprivileged urban areas and small villages. The aim is to “go where Circus does not go” and take time to meet the people.

© Sébastien Armengol

13 people travelled together during 3 months

Galapiat Company composed of its 6 artists: Elice Abonce Muhonen, Sébastien Armengol, Moïse Bernier, Jonas Séradin, Lucho Smit, Sébastien Wojdan ; 2 technicians: Gautier Gravelle, Luc Mainaud ; and 2 coordinators: Lucile Mulliez and Marine Freslon. They were accompanied by Émilie Bonnafous (clown and writer) and the team of Des Figures (Nelly Sabbagh, Lucie Lemaître) who set up a project of arts and anthropology.

From August 25th to November 15th, 2011, they travelled on the continent from the East to the West, starting from Buenos-Aires, through the center of Argentina, Rio Cuarto, Achirras, Villa Mercedes, San Luis, Estancia Grande, and ending in Chile: Santiago de Chile, Pirque and Valparaiso.
The whole adventure as well as the dynamism of Latin American circus are compiled in our travel diaries.

Back in France, Galapiat Cirque hosts the company ACLAP Circo Social during three months sharing their lives and experiences. They also set up a tour with the tango duet Vasquez-Mustilo in Brittany and the rest of France and organise tours in Europe for the Circus Pacheco Kaulen y Hnos.
Today, strong ties still develop with Aclap Circo Social with the support given in the creation of a national social circus school in the center of Argentina.
Federico Robledo, a circus artist from Rio Cuarto is now a member of the Pétaouchnok Collectif and Château Descartes.