Battambang Circus

Battambang Circus

Set up by a local NGO in 1986, the Battambang Circus aims to promote artistic creativity and sustainable development within disadvantaged communities. Trapeze artists, tightrope walkers, musicians and much more feature in the circus. Performances every Thursday evening.

Battambang Circus is one of the most worthwhile Battambang attractions both in terms of having a great evening out, but also as the scheme is of great benefit to the local community of Battambang. The circus is very similar to many in the west with shows featuring the likes of tightrope walkers and people performing other insane stunts, but the basis behind the circus is more far-reaching than this.

It was set up by the NGO Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS) to help disadvantaged young individuals gain the opportunity to use their creative expression and talent while learning skills which they can earn a living from in the meantime. The emphasis is on gaining confidence and thus personal development through creativity and freedom of expression. The NGO also encourages other forms of art aside from the circus.  The kids who work for the circus are trained by professionals and when they’re not practicing, they’re performing! Twice a week you can visit the circus and see an impressive selection of tricks and performances including acrobatics, clowns, trapeze and tightrope walkers, musicians, unicyclists and people jumping through hoops of knives or fire! The atmosphere is dramatic and we really recommend this as a way to see contemporary Cambodian culture at it’s best.