We are a Cardiff based contemporary circus, performing to audiences in our Big Top all across the world as well as offering an extensive community programme from our base at Four Elms in Adamsdown.
Our Company founded in 1986, has recently undergone a review of its Welsh language provision and is excited about its plans for the future.
“Circus is primarily a visual artform, so is generally free of the spoken word, so we have always had to think creatively about how the Welsh Language features in our work,” explained Jo Taylor, Community Project Manager.
“Our community classes and community programme reaches a wide range of participants from Adamsdown, Splott and Tremorfa, often including asylum seekers and refugees with a variety of languages spoken, so this is also something that we have had to consider in our plans.”
Hence, we plan to offer a youth circus skills class for those who would like to learn through the medium of Welsh, but finding a pool of experienced circus trainers who speak Welsh has been a challenge.
We have decided to face these challenges head on, with a number of core staff, including circus trainers attending Welsh Language classes, in partnership with staff at the Oasis centre and ‘Dysgu Cymraeg’.
We are also beginning a project in 2025 ‘Celf Cymraeg’ and have partnered with Menter Caerdydd to produce Welsh language creative projects in East Cardiff that will be shown at Tafwyl in June 2025.
“We hope that by making Welsh language learning part of the culture here at NoFit State, including amongst our international staff and stakeholders and embedding Welsh culture into our creative practice, we can show our commitment to promoting the language here at home and on tour outside of Wales.”
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