Reviving Juggling: A Regional Tour with Wes Peden

Juggling has long played a central role in the circus culture of Southeast Europe. Yet in recent years, interest in this essential discipline has faded among professionals. To change that, Ludifico, Cirkusfera, and Cirkorama have joined forces to reignite creativity around juggling through performances and educational activities led by internationally acclaimed juggler Wes Peden.

Presented in Novi Sad (June 1), Zagreb (June 7), and Belgrade (September 18–27), Peden’s solo show Rollercoaster is a one-hour, high-energy performance that uses ultra-modern, pop-punk juggling to explore the tension between freedom and security.

Surrounded by a giant inflatable pink structure and backed by electro beats made from distorted rollercoaster sounds, Peden performs original tricks inspired by rollercoasters and their high-tech seatbelts. A spinning plate ceremony becomes a tribute to great rides of the past; a disco-style 3-ball routine evokes the evolution of rollercoasters; and a 4-meter transparent tube becomes a swirling path for juggling balls to loop, twist, and corkscrew around his body. Rollercoaster playfully twists theatrical rules to create a safe space for some of the most difficult and inventive juggling ever performed on stage.
Each show is paired with a 3-hour masterclass for regional jugglers, offering advanced techniques, creative tools, and new training methods to expand their practice and performance.

Led by organizations committed to inclusive leadership and environmental sustainability, and developed in partnership with French organization La Canopée, the tour promotes access to high-quality circus in multiple cities and strengthens the regional juggling scene.

Supported by Teatroskop Grants 2025 and the French embassy in Serbia within the project FUZIJA.
Photo by Einar-Kling-Odencrants