Amaze! Tales and Magic of Circus

At the Teatterimuseo, the exhibition explores the many sides of Finnish circus—from the international troupes that first visited in the 19th century to the traveling circuses that passed traditions down through the generations. It also shows how, since the 1990s, circus has drawn on contemporary dance, popular culture, music, and visual arts. The displays place the characters of Finnish circus history, traditional circus, and contemporary circus side by side.

The exhibition covers the atmosphere of the circus—clowns, acrobatics, magic, the sparkle of sequins, and the scent of popcorn—as well as the dedication behind it, with hours of practice and the physical and mental control that circus demands. The exhibition's texts are by journalist Emma Vainio, and the visuals were designed by Jyrki Pylväs and Jukka Pylväs, shaping both the look and the narrative of the space.