The 27th edition of the International Circus Festival of Italy will take place from October 15th to 19th, 2026. First four numbers taking part in the competition announced today.
The production office continues with its tradition of announcing the cast members of this 27th edition a few at a time. The first group of performers to be announced come from France, Israel, and Hungary, and will be representing their respective countries of origin at Latina. More cast members will be announced in our following production notes.
ALIZÉ POITREAU
France – Trapeze
TRAPEZE ARTIST PARENTS, FLYING TRAPEZE EXPERIENCE, TRAPEZE SCHOOL: THE BACKGROUND OF ALIZÉ POITREAU, A YOUNG PERFORMER FROM FRANCE WHO STARTED EXPRESSING HER EMOTIONS ON THE FLYING TRAPEZE AT A VERY YOUNG AGE.
Alizé inherited her love of aerial arts from her parents, both trapeze artists. Brought up in close contact with big flying trapeze troupes, she gained sound experience with the family troupe, Tout fou to fly; however, she started performing as a solo trapezist at only 7 years old. She perfected her skills at the Circus school founded by her father, Jean-Michel, in the French Riviera, as well as at the Conservatoire National. Alizé chose the swinging trapeze as her preferred discipline while, at 17, she frequented the National School of Circus Arts of Rosny-sous-Bois. Continuing her formation in Montreal, Canada, this led to significant appearances in Cirque du Soleil productions as well as in big Asian and Chinese productions. Her performance at Latina is called Mitoté: a scenic tableau on the swinging trapeze in which the young performer narrates the solitary path of a strong woman searching for a personal return to life.
DUO AERIAL DNA
Israel – Aerial Pole
TOXIC LOVE: A CAUTIOUS AND CAREFUL NARRATION OF A DANGEROUS RELATIONSHIP, WHERE PASSION IS TAINTED BY SUFFERING. THIS IS THE AERIAL POLE NUMBER BY DUO AERIAL DNA.
Duo Aerial DNA is the artistic name of Dan and Alisa: both born in Israel, they started in circus acrobatics as self-taught artistes, and soon gravitated towards the aerial pole, which best allowed them to show their talents as a duo. The pole is suspended from the height of the Big Top, lending an exciting dynamic to their performance. The number is called Toxic Love, and is a careful narration of a dangerous relationship, in which passion is tainted by suffering. Alisa also has a background as a solo artiste with the aerial hoop, with which she won a bronze award at the New Generation Festival of Monte-Carlo in 2018. Dan has worked with Alisa since 2025, and this year they sealed a special contract: two months working as Duo Aerial DNA in the Hungarian capital, in a programme dedicated to the best performers to have taken part in the International Circus Festival of Budapest.
THE ANNA’S
Hungary – Double Aerial Pole
A SPECIAL USE OF HAIR IN THE BREATH-TAKING FINALE OF THIS AERIAL POLE PERFORMANCE BY THE HUNGARIAN DUO: THE ANNA’S
Two young Hungarian performers, Nóra and Panna work under the artistic name The Anna’s. Both are just 20 years old, and present a duet performance with the aerial pole, combining femininity and grace with some audacious moves: the audience is gradually taken towards a breath-taking finale in which the artiste’s hair becomes a part of the act! Their artistic partnership started five years ago, and followed their training background at the Baross Imre Artist Training Institute, and then at Vincze Tünde Production in Budapest. The Anna’s gained initial visibility while taking part in a famous talent show in their country: on that occasion they already grabbed the attention of viewers by using a plaited ponytail to execute an original hair hang between performers.
MIKHAIL ERMAKOV
Hungary – Clown with dogs
LIKE EVERY SCHOOL, EVEN DOG SCHOOLS HAVE A TEACHER, AND MIKHAIL ERMAKOV, A THIRD-GENERATION PERFORMER OF HIS FAMILY, IS THEIRS: THEIR MISSION IS A REAL DEDICATION TO SAVING ABANDONED DOGS
Mikhail Ermakov is a performer known worldwide in the Circus world as Professor Ermakov, as comical friend to his faithful dogs. The Professor Ermakov School for Dogs is an iconic number that has been passed down through the Ermakov dynasty from generation to generation since the Ermakov Dog Academy. Many of the nine dogs in the school were saved from the streets or from dog kennels: it’s noteworthy that these animals have regained their trust in humans thanks to the love that Mikhail gives them, considering them his travel and work companions. Born in a Circus family, Mikhail grew up in the Big Top, learning various disciplines of the Circus: he has performed as a juggler, a bicycle acrobat, a clown, and in 2017 he won a Guinness world record for acrobatic football juggling. Ermakov isn’t a fake professor; Mikhail really does have a Degree in Theology!
