A skyborne, fairy-tale theater filled with breathtaking acrobatics and poetic imagery – this is how the performance “CurtainCall” by the German group Circus unARTiq is often described. This year, audiences will be able to see it at the Carnaval Sztukmistrzów (July 23-26, Lublin). It is a remarkable fusion of contemporary circus, physical theater, and live music.
Circus unARTiq | “CurtainCall” (GER)
July 23, 2026 (Thursday), 16:00 | check out the event
July 23, 2026 (Thursday), 18:00 | check out the event
July 24, 2026 (Friday), 17:00 | check out the event
July 24, 2026 (Friday), 19:00 | check out the event
July 25, 2026 (Saturday), 16:00 | check out the event
July 25, 2026 (Saturday), 18:00 | check out the event
About the performance
For years, Lisa Rinne and Andreas Bartl have been bringing urban squares, parks, and promenades to life, transforming them into open-air stages. At the heart of their performance is a giant curtain that continually shifts in meaning and function. What normally seems ordinary and familiar becomes, for 30 minutes, part of a theatrical story. The inspirations behind the production were wide-ranging – from René Magritte’s painting “The Lovers” to the monumental works of the German avant-garde artist Christo.
Journalists from the Italian outlet “Nuovo Sud” were among those captivated by the production. After its performance at Sicily’s Scenica Festival, they wrote:
The artists delivered a performance of pure beauty – featuring acrobatics on a swinging trapeze, tightrope walking, and hand balancing. It was a spectacular combination of delicacy and strength.
Live music plays a vital role in “CurtainCall”, intertwining with contemporary electronic sounds. The performance also features saxophone melodies accompanying high-altitude aerial acrobatics. Together, these elements create a unique atmosphere of suspense and uncertainty.
Details
When:
July 23, 2026 (Thursday), 16:00 and 18:00
July 24, 2026 (Friday), 17:00 and 19:00
July 25, 2026 (Saturday), 16:00 and 18:00
Where: Po Farze Square, Lublin
Admission free
Watch the trailer
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Outdoor performances
This year’s edition will also feature a rich program of spectacular outdoor performances taking place at Litewski Square, Po Farze Square, and the green spaces of the Perła Brewery. One of them will be an open-air show by the collective La Bande à Tyrex. The French group’s production is a format rarely seen even at Europe’s largest festivals. One of its distinctive features is that the performers do not rely on pre-recorded music; instead, they create the soundtrack to their acts live on stage. While some artists balance on handlebars and perform complex acrobatic feats, others pick up a trombone, bass guitar, or percussion instruments.
The program will also include performances by a Chilean artist from Cia. Frutillas Con Crema and the Danish company Cirkus Grand Danois. The former will present “FATIGA, la mémoire des objets” – an intimate portrait of loneliness and the search for hidden meanings in everyday life. Its protagonist invites the audience into his “travelling home” – a cart filled with secrets, where nothing is quite as it seems. Meanwhile, Cirkus Grand Danois will bring a moving yet rebellious production that challenges conventional ideas of freedom, wealth, and the dream of a good life. The audience is introduced to a dysfunctional circus troupe living in a state of constant travel.
Tickets available on Stage24.pl. More programme highlights coming soon.
About the Carnaval Sztukmistrzów
Carnaval Sztukmistrzów is the largest festival in Poland showcasing contemporary circus arts. For years the event has attracted crowds of residents and tourists to the city. They are drawn not only by world-class circus performances, but also by the magical atmosphere of the festival. The program includes clowning, acrobatics, juggling, and illusion shows presented as engaging circus performances, as well as attractions for children and concerts. It is the most performatively diverse festival in the country. In addition, the Carnaval is accompanied by the Urban Highline Festival—the oldest and largest highline festival in the world held in an urban space. Most of the festival program is free of charge and takes place in streets, squares, and public spaces. Some events are ticketed and can be seen in theatres and performance halls.
Details
Carnaval Sztukmistrzów
July 23–26, 2026
Lublin
Admission free. Selected events are ticketed.
More information about the festival can be found on the website carnavallublin.eu.