Big Top Label-sertifikat til Cirkus Arnardo

Big Top Label er cirkusverdenens svar på Michelin, og startet med en konferanse i Europaparlamentet i 2016, etter et initiativ av det ungarske parlamentsmedlemmet István Ujhelyi.

Aktuelle cirkus blir nøye vurdert etter strenge kriterier av Big Top Label-komiteens eksperter.

– BTL-sertifikatet henger høyt, og utmerkelsen er en tydelig bekreftelse på at Cirkus Arnardos posisjon, kvalitet og verdier blir lagt merke til på offisielt nivå også utenfor Norges grenser, sier en stolt og takknemlig cirkusdirektør Are Arnardo.

Europaparlamentets visepresident, Katarina Barley, holdt hovedtalen der hun gratulerte årets mottakere, og sa at Den europeiske union alltid har vært opptatt av å støtte og bevare cirkus som kulturarv, som er en unik kunstform.

– Jeg er overbevist om at den over 250 år gamle europeiske cirkustradisjonen er en verdifull del av Europas kulturelle mangfold og, som sådan, av den europeiske identiteten. Det er viktig å bevare den, ivareta kvaliteten og vise frem dens beste eksempler for andre.

Hva er Big Top Label?

• Et europeisk kvalitetssertifikat for cirkus.

• Cirkusverdenens svar på Michelin-stjerner.

Hva innebærer BTL-sertifikatet for Cirkus Arnardo?

• Internasjonal anerkjennelse på høyeste nivå.

• Økt bevissthet i Norge om viktigheten av bevaring av og tilrettelegging for cirkus som en unik kunstform og kulturarv.

• Forsterket samarbeid med profesjonelle organisasjoner og beslutningstakere i Europa.

Europaparlamentets visepresident, Katarina Barley, holdt hovedtalen der hun gratulerte årets mottakere, og understreket viktigheten av Big Top Label-organisasjonens fortsatte fokus på å fremheve profesjonelle cirkusforetak som fortjener ekstra anerkjennelse på grunn av sin høye standard.

Katarina Barley sa i sin tale at Den europeiske union alltid har vært opptatt av å støtte og bevare cirkus som kulturarv, som er en unik og verdifull kunstform:

“The Circus is a beautiful art form, and it deserves all our support. It is actually a good epitome of the European Union, a group of diverse people banding together to do something bigger than themselves, connecting communities, one might even say, united in diversity.” These were the words of Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Culture, back in 2022 during the BigTopLabel awards ceremony held in the European Parliament.

I find this statement very fitting because European circus arts, with a history spanning over 250 years, are indeed much more than what we see in the ring. Behind the breathtaking performances, the acrobatics, and sometimes superhuman achievements, lies an immense amount of work and perseverance. These feats could never be accomplished without trust-based collaboration and teamwork. For this reason, circus arts not only embody cultural value but also carry significant social and societal messages. This is what makes them unique among art forms.

The European Union has always been committed to supporting and preserving our cultural heritage, including circus arts. Over the past decades, the European Parliament has adopted several resolutions and documents that directly or indirectly address circus arts and the broader cultural sector. Notable among these is the resolution adopted in October 2021, which focuses on the situation of artists and the cultural recovery of the Union. This resolution emphasizes the importance of the cultural and creative sectors for European identity and the economy and calls for improved working conditions for artists and cultural workers. Although the document does not specifically target circus arts, its measures and recommendations are equally applicable to circus artists, who are an integral part of the cultural sector.

In an interview a few years ago, I stated: “Europe is our future, and our shared cultural heritage is the foundation of European identity. The diversity and richness of European culture give strength to our community, and it is our collective responsibility to protect it.” I firmly believe that the over 250-year-old European circus tradition is a valuable component of Europe’s cultural diversity and, as such, of European identity. It is important to preserve it, safeguard its quality, and showcase its best examples to others.

“The Michelin star of circus arts”—this is how the BigTopLabel program is referred to in the cultural sector. It is a fitting comparison. The project’s objectives are clear and straightforward: to guarantee quality in circus arts based on the strictest professional and legal standards, whether it concerns working conditions, service quality, financial transparency, artistic excellence, or—something particularly relevant today—the welfare of animals. The program’s rightful aim is to highlight circus productions and companies that excel in all these areas, sometimes even challenging justified or unjustified stereotypes about the sector. I wish for the experts to continue their noble mission and spotlight those who deserve recognition. I also hope the BigTopLabel program achieves its long-term goals, such as fostering cooperation among award-winning circus companies, advocating collectively for shared interests, and educating the sector—all plans I learned about from the program’s founders. I am confident that the European community will support them in these efforts.

Congratulations to this year’s award recipients! And if I may add a personal note, I am especially delighted that a circus from Germany is among the honorees this year. “Viva le cirque!” as they say, meaning “Long live the circus!” And I say: Long live Europe, long live the diverse European community, long live the magnificent European culture, and within it, high-quality circus arts!”

István Ujhelyi, founder of the BigTopLabel program and current EU Ambassador for UN Tourism, also delivered a speech, emphasizing that the initiative has proven its value and merits continuation. He recalled that in 2016, they set the goals of establishing the BigTopLabel certification and producing a comprehensive EU study on the state of European circus arts, which was completed in 2020 alongside the program’s launch. While no longer serving as an MEP, Ujhelyi stressed his commitment to advancing the BigTopLabel initiative. He outlined plans for collaboration with the new European Commission to expand the program and support circus arts more broadly.

Ujhelyi emphasized a long-term goal of fostering a supportive and advocacy-oriented community among certified circuses, thereby contributing to the sector’s ongoing development. “In today’s world, where hard work, diligence, and talent often receive less recognition, and where the rapidly changing dynamics of social media dominate attention, European circus arts, with their 250-year history, continue to bring joy to generations,” he said. “Circus arts exemplify acceptance, perseverance, and collaboration, values we must preserve.” He concluded by reaffirming his support for the program, saying, “to be continued!”

Are Arnardo owner and director of Cirkus Arnardo delivered the following speech: “Distinguished guests, partners, and friends of the circus arts! It is an incredible honor to accept the prestigious Big Top Label award on behalf of Cirkus Arnardo. This recognition is more than just an award – it is a mark of quality and a celebration of the art of the circus. Founded by my grandfather, Arne Arnardo, Cirkus Arnardo has spent decades bringing joy, wonder, and connection to audiences across Norway. This award honors his vision and the dedication of everyone who has worked tirelessly to carry it forward. The Big Top Label inspires us to continue evolving while staying true to our traditions, ensuring that future generations experience the same magic that defines our art form. Thank you to the Big Top Label Committee, to our incredible team, and to the audiences who make it all possible. This is a proud moment for Cirkus Arnardo, and we look forward to continuing this journey with you. Thank you for this honor.”

Avslutningstalen var ved Urs Pilz, som er president i European Circus Association (ECA), president i Fédération Mondiale du Cirque (FMC), samt visepresident og kunstnerisk leder for den internasjonale cirkusfestivalen i Monte Carlo (Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo).

I talen kom Urs Pilz også inn på den vakre naturen i Norge, men bemerket samtidig hvor krevende det er å drive cirkus i en utfordrende norsk geografi med varierende vær og føre.

Lilla Harangozó fra Capital European Affairs (CEA) var kveldens vert og ledet seremonien i Europaparlamentet.

István Ujhelyi, grunnlegger av Big Top Label, fremhevet i sin tale at årets tre mottakere var alle gode eksempler på fremragende kvalitetscirkus som har gjort seg fortjent til spesiell oppmerksomhet.

István Ujhelyi takket de fremmøtte for at de var med på å skape noe av stor verdi sammen, og som kan tjene som et eksempel for andre kultursektorer. Han så frem til å samarbeide videre med BTL-cirkusene, og med Europakommisjonen og Europaparlamentets kulturkomite.

2024
Cirkus Arnardo, Norge
Zirkus Charles Knie, Tyskland
Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione, Frankrike

2023
Circo Raluy Legacy, Spania
Richter Flórián Cirkusz, Ungarn
Zippos Circus, Storbritannia

2022
Circus Balkanski, Bulgaria
Circus Brazil Jack, Sverige
Circus Roncalli, Tyskland

2019
Sirkus Finlandia, Finland
Magyar Nemzeti Cirkusz – Hungarian National Circus, Ungarn
Circus Knie – Schweizer National-Circus Knie, Sveits

2018
Blackpool Tower Circus, Storbritannia
Cirque Arlette Gruss, Frankrike
Circus Krone, Tyskland

Lese mer?

På Big Top Labels nettside finnes en utfyllende presentasjon av alle BTL-cirkusene.