The Tini Tinou International Circus Festival is set to return to Cambodia this November, marking its 12th edition with an extraordinary gathering of circus talents from across the Asia-Pacific to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Phare Ponleu Selpak. 

Hosted by Phare in Battambang province from November 22-27, the festival promises to be the largest and most ambitious in its history, featuring 13 circus troupes from 12 countries, including France, Germany, Australia, India, Guinea, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand and Laos.

This year's Tini Tinou, which translates to “here and there” in Khmer, reflects its mission of cultural exchange and artistic collaboration. 

The event, expected to attract over 11,000 attendees, serves as a platform for cross-cultural dialogue, aiming to develop contemporary circus arts in the region through long-term exchange programmes and fostering initiatives.

One of the key highlights of the celebration will be the annual general meeting of the Circus Asia Network (CAN), an organisation that brings together 13 circus institutions from seven Asia-Pacific countries. 

The group's mission aligns with Tini Tinou’s objectives: to nurture the contemporary circus scene, share knowledge and build a sustainable future for circus arts in the region. 

The meeting will serve as a critical point of discussion and planning, focusing on the future of circus arts in the region, fostering talent and creating opportunities for artists to thrive on a global stage.

“This year’s Tini Tinou International Circus Festival will be one to remember,” said Phare executive director Osman Khawaja. 

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

Phare, a non-profit art school and the fair’s organiser, has a long history of using the arts to transform lives. 

Founded in 1994 by a group of young Cambodians who had taken refuge in drawing workshops during the Khmer Rouge regime, the organisation has since become an important force in the country’s creative landscape.

Through programmes in music, dance, visual arts, theatre and circus, Phare has empowered countless youth to pursue careers in the arts, lifting themselves and their communities out of poverty.

The festival celebrates the cultural heritage of Cambodian circus arts and promotes Battambang as a centre for cultural tourism.

The event will include a mix of workshops, exchanges, artist talks, nightly circus shows, pop-up performances throughout the province, a circus street parade and a grand finale closing concert. 

Nightly performances will take place in various locations on the Phare campus, including the music school rotunda, the visual arts school courtyard and the main campus green.

Troupes from around the world will amaze audiences with their acrobatic skills and artistic techniques. 

In addition, the spectacle will feature the full-length premiere of the cabaret "End of Love”, a contemporary theatre-circus hybrid featuring students from Phare, as well as circus and dance programmes.

“Circus is an essential part of Khmer cultural heritage,” says Khuon Det, Phare co-founder and director of the Phare Performing Arts School. 

“With Tini Tinou, we’re proud to pass on the magic of circus to the next generation of Cambodian and international youth. This festival represents everything that circus has to offer: strength, teamwork, flexibility, imagination and, of course, fun.”

This year's edition is especially meaningful as it marks the 30th anniversary of Phare Ponleu Selpak, turning the event into both a cultural showcase and a celebration of the organization's lasting impact.

The celebrations will culminate in a massive neighbourhood party, uniting artists and audiences in a shared celebration of the arts.