Over the past years, the circus programme of Amsterdam Roots Festival has grown into a beloved and essential part of the festival. With acts from all over the world, Roots presents a dynamic mix of contemporary circus, where physical expression, cultural backgrounds, and artistic innovation come together. The performances resonate closely with the spirit of the festival: playful, boundary-pushing, and deeply rooted in diverse cultural perspectives. Here, circus is not only a spectacle, but a powerful form of storytelling and physical expression that connects and moves audiences.

For the programme, Roots collaborates with Circusbende, now returning for the third time as the festival’s circus curator. Founded in 2018 as a spontaneous initiative, Circusbende has grown into a leading circus platform, attracting around 19,000 visitors annually. With a keen eye for experimentation and raw creativity, they are dedicated to developing contemporary circus as a multidisciplinary art form—bold, open-ended, and constantly evolving.

With their in-depth knowledge of the international circus scene, the team brings artists to the Netherlands who have not been seen here before. Artistic quality and social engagement are at the core of their vision. Programmers Do Verschragen and Chiva Bons once again present a diverse and thought-provoking programme, inviting audiences to experience circus in all its forms.