Like a bird

Johanna Maria Fritz, Germany

Iran, Afghanistan and the Gaza Strip. Three places known for their dismal political character and for their difficult living conditions. The inhabitants of these countries have developed a circus culture quite uncomparable to the rest of the world. From political clowns in Gaza trying to deliver a performance reflecting the absurdity of living on the front line between Hamas and the IDF, to circus schools trying to offer Afghan children an alternative path, and from Iran, directly confronting fun in probably one of the most (wrongly) stigmatized countries on the face of the earth. ‘Like a Bird’ is how a young boy described his feeling in the circus.

Discover more: Shortlist 2018