Circus Go～

Rural Schools in Yunlin County

Where can circus happen? In a city, a farming village, or even deep in the mountains? Travelling across Yunlin, FOCASA takes circus on a journey through schools shaped by very different towns and landscapes. From urban campuses in Douliu to farming communities around Tuku and Baozhong, then further into Huashan and Meilin in Gukeng and the mountain community of Caoling, circus appears again and again in schools of different sizes and surroundings. Yunlin is a landscape of farmland, mountains, forests and rural communities. There are larger schools in urban areas, as well as small schools closely connected to their local communities. Following these different landscapes, we hope circus can arrive as something unexpected in the middle of an ordinary school day. A playground, an activity centre or an auditorium can all become a circus stage for a moment. Children first watch how performers work with their bodies and props, then try it themselves. A movement that looks simple may take attempt after attempt. Something that once seemed impossible may suddenly become possible after finding a new approach or working together with a classmate. With the support of Taiwan Depository & Clearing Corporation (TDCC), we are able to bring circus into schools across Yunlin, finding new stages between cities, farmland and mountains, and showing children that art can happen right where they live and learn every day.