Open tent

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.