In 2023, during the Easter holidays, Antwerp was overwhelmed by circus madness for the first edition of the MAD Festival. From April 13 to 16, visitors could enjoy free outdoor shows and large tent performances at Asiadok and in Park Spoor Noord, featuring internationally renowned companies, sometimes premiering in Belgium. Special attention was given to young creators, some of whom took their first steps on the big stage at the MAD Generation Stage.

The festival also went on an expedition in Antwerp North, offering special performances tailored to the neighborhood. There was room for music, celebration, surprise, and encounter. Circus enthusiasts had their share too. For professionals in the sector, we organized an inspiration day on safety in the circus, and, of course, there was the MAD Convention, where around 300 young people from Flanders, Brussels, the Netherlands, and Germany trained together for three days.

MAD 2023 in numbers:

• 8 locations for shows
• 5 locations for workshops 
• 12 different shows 
• 41 performedances in total 
• 160 workshops 
• 6 DJ sets and concerts 
• 1 inspiration and networking day for professionals 
• 9,000 enthusiastic visitors 
• 300 young and less young acrobats at MAD Convention

What was there to see?

• The Belgian-French Collectif Malunés with We Agree to Disagree, a participatory performance at great heights, about the power of collaboration and the ability to differ in opinion
• MAD Generation featuring early works by emerging artists Laure Osselin, Hanne Pandelaers, Ting Kuan, Amoukanama, Collectif À Côté de la Planche, Bulldogz Duo, and Harvey Cobb
• Théatre d’Un Jour with Reclaim, an intense encounter between circus art, opera, and rituals
• Frédéri Vernier and Sébastien Davis-Van Gelder with Out of the Blue, literally breathtaking underwater circus 
• Knot On Hands with Passing By, an acrobatic stroll in the park
• Piet van Dycke/Circumstances with Exit, slapstick and acrobatics featuring swiftly swinging doors
• The impressive Cirkelgewelf was set up every day with the help of young circus makers such as Marleen Van Der Post, Alena Lässer, Seraphim Richter, and Daniël Fernandez
• Bad Van Marie turned the perception of circus upside down in the shops, cafes, and streets of Antwerp North with Backstage
• Cirque Barbette presented Tu sens la terre bouger, fragile balancing art in the park
• Modo Grosso with Tout Rien, a solo full of magic and object manipulation
• Marina Cherry with Only Bones v.1.6, a dance solo pushing the boundaries of contortionism and performance
• Sinking Sideways with Cécile, circus dance as tightly timed as a Swiss watch.
• Concerts by Brik Tu Tok, Woo and Fast Moving Pick, BRUiTAL, and other MAD Parties in the bar of the circus brothers from Collectif Malunés