Circus bids for UNESCO intangible cultural heritage status
A Newbury circus proprietor is seeking help from our @newburytoday readers who support the industry in order to achieve cultural heritage status, Arts Editor Trish Lee reports.
Our recent fascinating feature about Newbury’s greatest showman of the Victorian Era ‘Lord’ George Sanger came about as a result of a conversation I had earlier this year with Martin Burton AKA Zippo of Zippos circus fame.
He wanted to encourage wider appreciation of the famed circus proprietor on the 200 anniversary of his birth.
I’d first met Martin in the 1980s, pre-big-top, when I was an arts centre director and he was a trained drama teacher turned clown.
I booked him for a fabulous summer holiday week teaching children circus skills at The Arts Workshop in Northcroft Lane. I booked him again for couple of adult cabaret gigs too, before he went off to buy a Big Top and founded his own circus.
Many years later I discovered he’d set up the Zippos Circus HQ on our patch, in Enborne, and had become a passionate ambassador and advocate of all things circus.
He is currently chairman of the Association of Circus Proprietors.
As he travels around the country with the circus he follows the news from Newbury online and after the Sanger feature went live he suggested our readers who support circus might be of help in writing letters to the Government.
“The last Government unexpectedly decided to recognise UNESCO in respect of intangible cultural heritage and the Sanger story, along with his predecessor Philip Astley (father of modern circus), is an important part of the circus’ bid to gain intangible cultural heritage status,” he told me.
The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) recently announced they would be seeking letters of support, not from within the circus industry itself, but from supporters of the industry.
“So your wonderful Sanger story may help rally supporters,” Martin suggests.
“The preservation of cultural heritage is crucial for maintaining circuses identity and history.
“With its diverse forms and centuries-long history, circus arts are an essential part of the UK’s cultural heritage.
“This art form has endured wars, crises, and countless challenges while preserving its unique cultural and social values, always adapting to the expectations of society and its audiences.
“Few artistic traditions in the UK have managed to maintain their fundamental heritage while constantly reinventing themselves to remain relevant.”
There are currently more than 70 circus companies in the UK, both large and very small.
However, the impact of UK circus arts extends far beyond these numbers, reaching and inspiring millions every day, bridging generations with entertainment, wonder and cultural value.
“Traditional circus is a powerful example of diligence, trust and diversity for our society. It does not matter where someone comes from – it only matters what they can do in the circus ring!
“If they are talented and can collaborate with others, then with discipline and respect for circus tradition, they are welcome in the UK circus tradition.”
The recognition of British Circus as both a way of life under the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage scheme will have the practical effect of ensuring local authorities and other bodies must play their part in preserving circus heritage, which is important as the modern circus was invented here in the UK by British Cavalry Officer Phillip Astley just over 250 years ago.
Integral Cultural Heritage status means there will be an onus on those bodies to deal with circuses fairly and positively and to promote the art form.
“In business terms this means that access to council land, the provision of decent facilities, the negotiation of fair rents and co-operation between parties will be a duty for public bodies.
“There are also implications for national legislators with regards to transport law, education provision, and many other commercial considerations.
“The circus community is a unique travelling community unlike any other, with its own unique traditions and superstitions, even its own language, all of which need protecting.”
Regarding Intangible Cultural Heritage status for circuses the Government has said it will announce “in the summer “ the address for supporters to write to. So no address yet.
We’ll keep you updated...
E: chairman@acpcircus.co.uk
To read our feature on the greatest showman of the Victorian age, Newbury’s ‘Lord’ George Sanger
The feature first appeared in our Out&About magazine.
www.acpcircus.co.uk
