Last February 97, the first Ethiopian circus festival was organised in Jimma, where all the circuses put on shows. It was the first opportunity for each of them to see each other's acts.

While all the basic tools of circus acrobatics are the same, each of the circuses has evolved very different interpretations. They employ the skills in their own individual ways and stamping the performance with their own cultural identity.

The Festival in Jimma was a meeting point for exchange and learning. A tool to continue in defining the Ethiopian style of circus. During one week Circus Ethiopia, Circus Jimma, Circus Tigray, Circus Nazareth, Circus Jare, Circus Dire Dawa met and worked together in workshops and common performance events.

The 200 children and youth, all members of performing troupes and many of which had never travelled out of their communities, were exposed to a wide variety of styles. They came out of the Festival renewed and full of ideas. The festival was also a meeting of cultures. The groups travelled from the four corners of Ethiopia, some more than a thousand kilometres, to live and make friends with other Ethiopians whose culture they had only heard about.

The Festival was organised and funded by many people and organisations. «Cirque du Soleil» provided half of the necessary funding.

Other donors included the European Union Delegation, the Canadian Embassy, Swedish save the children, Unicef, and Oxfam, The Ethiopian Red Cross and the International Red Cross were another major partner on the logistics side: transport, public relations, administration support.
The Jimma City Council and the Regional Government also supported the Festival. The Festival was held over five days in Awetu Park in the center of Jimma. Each evening more than 10 000 spectators packed the natural amphitheatre for the three hours shows. Never had the Jimma population witnessed such an event.

The fact that the festival has brought together people from all over the country in this way is indicative of a change, something that promotes expression of liberty of movement. The circuses came from six different cities, from six different cultures.
Probably the biggest impact of this festival has been the impact of each circus up on the others. The event has provided a mirror in which each group can measure where they stand in terms of skill, ability to use the stage and to express their own identity. It has given them a point of reference from which they can continue to develop. It was an explosion of energy and talent, of willingness and credibility.