RE RĪGA!, the International Festival of Contemporary Circus and Street Arts, has unveiled the programme for its 14th edition and invites audiences to experience the wonder of being TOGETHER.
From 8 to 15 August, RE RĪGA! will once again transform Riga into a meeting place for artists, audiences and ideas from around the world. For the fourteenth year, the festival will present an international programme of contemporary circus performances, masterclasses and street arts events at Rīgas cirks, Vērmanes Garden and Victory Park (Uzvaras Park), bringing together artists from 11 countries.
The theme of this year’s festival is TOGETHER. RE RĪGA! 2026 celebrates the unique power of circus to turn strangers into companions on a shared adventure – the moment when “they” suddenly become “we”. This year’s programme is designed as a collective journey exploring intimacy, virtuosity, the precision of contemporary circus movement and the joy of being together.
“This year’s festival theme, TOGETHER, is both an invitation and a commitment. It marks a new stage in the development of Rīgas cirks – creating a circus that is more accessible, more inclusive and closer to diverse communities. Our goal is not to create solutions for people, but to create them together with people,” says Māra Pāvula, Director of Rīgas cirks.
This idea runs throughout the festival programme. The performances invite audiences to come closer, participate, experience wonder and become an active part of the event—sometimes even a co-creator without whom the performance simply could not happen.
A special focus of the 2026 festival is Flemish contemporary circus, one of Europe’s strongest circus ecosystems, which has grown since the 1990s from an emerging artistic movement into an internationally recognised sector. Three Belgian companies will present their latest works at Rīgas cirks Arena and Vērmanes Garden.
“This year we highlight Flemish circus not only as a geographical focus but also as an example of how political recognition, long-term vision and targeted support can build a thriving contemporary circus ecosystem. Through performances, artist talks and professional exchange, we hope to introduce audiences and professionals alike to this inspiring model,” says Mārtiņš Ķibers, Artistic Director of RE RĪGA!.
The festival opens on 11 and 12 August with Maelstrom by Belgian company Company Alud – a visually striking contemporary circus performance combining aerial straps, partner acrobatics, dance, physical theatre and classical music.
On 13 and 14 August, Camille Paycha presents 60 Degrees of Separation, an intimate encounter of aerial acrobatics and live music inspired by the theory of six degrees of separation.
On 14 and 15 August, Belgian company There There Company brings Hug Me, Shake My Hand to Vērmanes Garden. Five partner acrobats build a choreography from everyday gestures – handshakes, embraces and touches – gradually transforming them into breathtaking acrobatic sequences.
Several performances will be followed by artist talks. There There Company will also lead a participatory workshop inviting volunteers to become part of Hug Me, Shake My Hand by acting as “secret agents” within the audience and helping create the performance’s unique sense of community.
The festival also expands into public space. Vērmanes Garden will host performances by Riga Circus School students and the family-friendly contemporary dance performance Take My Picture by Latvian company SIXTH.
As part of the Riga City Festival, Uzvaras Park will host Discover the Wonder!, a free family programme featuring performances by artists and companies from Belgium, Sweden, Spain, Estonia–France and the United Kingdom.
Programme for professionals
RE RĪGA! also offers a professional programme featuring workshops, discussions and international networking opportunities.
On 11 August, Dan le Man will lead an information session on Fringe festivals, aimed at artists and independent performing arts companies interested in touring internationally.
On 12 August, Circuscentrum – Flemish Centre for Circus Arts will present the Flemish circus ecosystem, introducing its artists, current developments and opportunities for collaboration.
On 13 August, the discussion Circus and Inclusion will explore accessibility and inclusion in contemporary circus. The professional programme also includes a workshop by the Nordic-Baltic Circus Innovation Incubator.
All professional events are free of charge with prior registration.
More information
The festival PROGRAMME.
REGISTRATION for professional events.
TICKETS for the Children’s Morning, Maelstrom, and 60 Degrees of Separation are already available.
The festival is supported by the State Culture Capital Foundation of Latvia, Riga City Council, the Ministry of Culture of Latvia, Circuscentrum, Flanders State of the Art, and BNCN.
Press contact
Ināra Zēmane
Communications Project Manager, RE RĪGA! Festival
📧 komunikacija@cirks.lv
📞 +371 29189743
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