At Sirkhane Social Circus, Cultural Cooperation Is No High-Wire Act

 
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At Sirkhane Social Circus, Cultural Cooperation Is No High-Wire Act

Sahba Aminikia, San Francisco-based Iranian American composer; Founder, Flying Carpet Festival

03-05-2025

Sirkhane Social Circus.

Sirkhane Social Circus is more than just a place to learn circus skills—it is a sanctuary of joy, healing, and creative expression for children who have endured the trauma of war, displacement, and social instability. Based in Mardin, Turkey, near the Syrian border, Sirkhane provides a safe and nurturing environment where children from diverse backgrounds—Syrian, Turkish, Iraqi, and Kurdish—come together to learn, perform, and play.

Scenes from the Flying Carpet Festival. Photo: Sirkhane Social Circus.

Founded by Pinar Demiral and Serdal Adam in 2010, Sirkhane has evolved from a small initiative into a multi-disciplinary arts program, encompassing circus, music, photography, and community-building while operating at several centers and mobile units in the Mardin area. One of these mobile programs is the Flying Carpet Festival, a ten-day artist residency and traveling festival that brings international artists, musicians, and circus performers together with the children of Sirkhane. Every year, the festival transforms public spaces into stages of wonder, where local and international performers create a magical, borderless experience of shared joy. The festival is a culmination of Sirkhane’s philosophy, an act of resistance against division and a declaration that beauty and hope belong to all. 

The Festival is not just a showcase for creativity and cultural cooperation. It is also a testament to stability and hope. The performers are all members of the Circus Heroes program—former students who have transitioned into mentorship roles. These Syrian, Kurdish and Turkish performers are both instructors and stars. They embody the growth, confidence, and creativity we hope to foster in future generations. 

Why a “Social Circus?”

Unlike traditional circus schools that train professionals for entertainment, social circuses use performance arts as a means of social change. For children in conflict-affected regions, traditional therapy or education might not always be accessible or effective. However, the nonverbal, physical, and playful nature of circus arts creates a safe, engaging  for healing and learning engaging and transformative.

The social circus model is built on inclusivity, teamwork, and resilience. The children learn much more than tricks; they learn social skills, discipline, trust, problem-solving, and self-expression. Catching a falling juggling ball, maintaining balance on a tightrope, or performing a synchronized routine—these are activities that teach patience and perseverance. The very nature of circus arts allows for failure to be seen not as a setback but as part of the process—an incredibly important lesson for children who have experienced loss and instability.

Müzikhane students work on their drumming. Photo: Sirkhane Social Circus.

The organization also runs the Müzikhane and Sirkhane Darkroom programs, which respectively provide free music and mobile photography workshops for local and refugee children. Through lessons in instruments like violin, ukelele, piano, and percussion, Müzikhane helps children find their voices, develop discipline, and experience the joy of creating something beautiful in a universal language. Sirkhane Darkroom teaches children how to capture their world through a traditional film photography originally founded by Turkish photographer Emel Ernalbant. In an era of digital overload, analog photography slows down the process, encouraging mindfulness, patience, and storytelling. Children develop and print their own photographs, creating visual narratives that document their lives and dreams. In both programs, the ultimate goal is to process one’s emotions, heal, and become one’s own storyteller.

The work is not without its challenges. Operating near the Turkish-Syrian border comes with significant uncertainty, particularly regarding safety, political instability, and logistics. The region has experienced ongoing tensions—cross-border conflicts, military operations, shifting refugee policies—that impact the stability of the communities Sirkhane serves. Ensuring the safety of children, instructors, and international artists is a constant concern, as sudden escalations in violence or changes in political dynamics can disrupt programming and limit mobility. 

And emotional safety is just as important. While the circus provides a joyful escape, many participants carry deep trauma. Sirkhane has worked closely with psychologists and social workers to incorporate trauma-informed approaches into the program, ensuring that children feel safe and supported.

Getting the body in motion helps students feel freer to express themselves. Photo: Sirkhane Social Circus.

Amid these challenges, creativity shines. Khalid, a young Syrian refugee, joined Sirkhane at the age of 11. Initially shy and withdrawn, he struggled to interact with others. Over the years, juggling and acrobatics helped him find his confidence; today, at 21, he teaches younger children to do the same. Fatma, who has been with Sirkhane since she was 13, found solace in trapeze. For her, being suspended in the air is a metaphor for freedom—breaking away from the weight of the past and embracing strength and grace. Another girl in Sirkhane Darkroom recently captured an image of an abandoned swing set in her neighborhood. When asked why she chose it, she said, “Because it is waiting for someone to bring joy back to it.” These examples reveal how deeply the children internalize and transform their experiences through art.

Our communities see it, too. Parents, initially hesitant, now take pride in seeing their children perform, recognizing the program’s role in building confidence and social integration. By presenting these young people not as victims but as skilled artists, the festival challenges stereotypes and fosters social cohesion. The performances—whether in Mardin’s public squares or in small villages—bring together people of different backgrounds to feel a shared sense of pride and respect.

As the world becomes more aware of the power of art in healing, Sirkhane strives to celebrate the resilience of the human spirit—one performance, one juggling ball, one photograph, and one melody at a time.

Arts for Healing, Borderless Creativity, Circus Arts, Community Building, Conflict-Affected Communities, Creative Expression, Cultural Exchange, Inclusion, leadership development, March 2025, Mental Health Support, Music Education, Performing Arts, Photography Workshops, Refugee Support, resilience, Sahba Aminikia, Social Circus, Social Integration, Storytelling Through Art, Trauma-Informed Education, Youth Empowerment

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