During the opening of Smells Like Circus yesterday at the Minard Theater in Ghent, ECDF trainer Jecsan Jimenez Leon gave the State of the Youth speech. He spoke on behalf of the children and young people he works with every week at our Circushaven. For the children in the TaRMaK program, who are growing up in challenging home situations. And for the children who come to the weekly neighborhood gatherings, who are growing up in neighborhoods where opportunities are not always available to everyone.
Drawing on his personal story, he guided the audience of circus professionals and policymakers through the world these children live in and explored in greater depth what circus can mean to them.
“A world that invites and supports them. To climb a ladder, put on armor, stretch out their arms to grab the trapeze. They jump. They fly. And for a few seconds, they are just children. Sometimes the fear of heights is too great. Then they don’t do it. And that’s okay. But those who do know: Sometimes something is difficult. Sometimes I’m afraid. And sometimes I can let go of that fear.
Many of these children live with fear. And they have few tools to free themselves from it. Up there, at the top, they get that chance. Not just by jumping. But through everything around it. The people who support them. Who wait. Who say: I’m here. If you fall, I’ll catch you. You can do this. And when they land, you see something change. Pride. Amazement. Because they didn’t think they could do it. And also: if I can do this, maybe I can do something else too.”
That is the power of circus. We look ahead and we support each other. Animo Raza!
