Tini Tinou International Circus Festival Returns This November for Its Biggest Edition Yet

Phare Ponleu Selpak announced today the 12th edition of TiniTinou International Circus Festival will be held in Battambang from 22nd to 27th November 2024. The international event expects to host 14 circus troupes and over 11,000 attendees in Battambang.

Organizers expect over 11,000 people will attend the mix of workshops, exchanges, artist talks, nightly circus shows, pop-up performances throughout Battambang, the circus street parade, the grand finale closing concert, and a massive neighborhood party to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Phare Ponleu Selpak.

“This year’s Tini Tinou International Circus Festival will be one to remember,” said Osman KHAWAJA, Executive Director of Phare Ponleu Selpak.

“The festival has always been about bringing people together from around the globe to celebrate the circus arts and also to network and exchange to learn from each other. And of course, for the audience it’s always fabulous fun!”

Tini Tinou – meaning “here and there” in Khmer – is meant to bring the fascinating world of circus to Cambodia to delight local and international audiences while contributing to the development of the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Battambang.

“Circus is an essential part of Khmer cultural heritage, and with Tini Tinou we’re proud to pass on the magic of circus to the next generation of Cambodian and international youth,” said KHUON Det, Co-Founder of Phare Ponleu Selpak and Director of Phare Performing Arts School.

“This festival represents everything that circus has to offer: strength, teamwork, flexibility, imagination, and of course, fun. The arts are crucial in determining the soul of a country, and Tini Tinou will proudly display Cambodian circus arts for the whole world to see.”

The week-long festival will also include the Annual General Meeting of Circus Asia Network (CAN). Created by Seoul Street Arts Creation Center in 2017, CAN brings together 13 circus organizations and institutions from seven Asia-Pacific countries for the purpose of developing contemporary circus in the region through long-term exchange and fostering programs.

Phare Ponleu Selpak’s goals for the Tini Tinou International Circus Festival include establishing circus as a valuable and integral part of Cambodian arts and culture, serving as a gateway for circus troupes from ASEAN+ countries for the global circus market, providing a platform for circus artists to network and build their capacities, and to contribute to Battambang’s economic development as an arts and cultural tourist attraction.

Phare Ponleu Selpak is still taking inquiries from event sponsors. Those interested should contact the school at phareps.org

About Phare Ponleu Selpak

Phare Ponleu Selpak – meaning the Brightness of the Arts – is a non-profit arts school that empowers children, youth, and their communities. Inspired by drawing workshops at the Site 2 refugee camp along the Thai-Cambodia border, nine evacuated students founded Phare Ponleu Selpak in 1994 on the outskirts of Battambang, Cambodia. Today, more than 800 students participate in a multitude of daily artistic and cultural activities on the Phare campus free of charge. Classes and workshops include music, dance, visual arts, theatre, circus, animation, and graphic design. Phare Ponleu Selpak changes lives through the arts by empowering students to become professional and self-sufficient artists and performers.