Partner: ECuNHI –
Sector: Social inclusion –
Country: Argentina –
Place: Buenos Aires –
Year: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 –
Project Status: Concluded –
Type: Partnership with AMG
THE PROJECT IN SUMMARY
Social circus workshop at Ecunhi, an artistic and cultural space inside the ex-ESMA, the largest illegal detention center in Argentina during the dictatorship.
THE PROJECT IN DETAIL
Objectives
To transform a place of torture and death into one supporting art and young people; to promote the social inclusion of children living in the communities of Independencia and Loyola (Buenos Aires) and adjoining neighborhoods.
Beneficiairies
41 vulnerable children between the ages of 6 and 15 living in the communities of Independencia and Loyola (Buenos Aires).
Activities
Ecunhi is an artistic-cultural centre founded by the Plaza de Mayo Mothers in the ex-ESMA (Espacio Memoria y Derechos Humanos), which was the biggest clandestine detention centre in Argentina during the last dictatorship.
Ecunhi has transformed a place of torture and murder into one that promotes art and life – a cultural centre where performances and artistic workshops are held for children and adults.
The Carpa Abierta social circus is held here and directly in the marginalized communities. It is a place of inclusive artistic expression that favours the development of physical, artistic and social skills, promoting group identity, respect and discipline by enhancing self-esteem and the acceptance of self, others and difference.
The project uses the circus to enable vulnerable children to experience the transformative power of being part of a group, creating a performance and garnering applause – all of which enable them to consider themselves part of a different social situation and envision a new future.
The project foresees two weekly workshops in the circus arts in two marginalized communities (Mitre and Independencia) in the province of Buenos Aires. Every two weeks a joint workshop is held for the beneficiaries from both communities to work together in preparation of a show that is performed for the public at the Ecunhi Centre (in 2018 directed by Cesar Brie, renowned international director), presented in the main theaters of Buenos Aires.
