Tini Tinou aims to provide local circus artists the opportunity to interact with and learn from international performers while introducing ordinary civilians to the world of artistic extravaganza. Eight countries, from four continents, will be represented in this year's festival that hopes to attract more than 2000 spectators a day. 200 artists from Australia, Cambodia, France, Germany, Guinea, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam will perform all elements of international circus as well as host creative interactive workshops. The highlights of the 2008 performance promise to be the Guinean Keita Fodeba Acrobatic Art Centre - the first African arts group to perform in Cambodia - and Ufa Fabrik, who played on the Berlin Wall months before it was demolished and were the first western band to play in the Red Square.
Tini Tinou is organised by Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS), 'the brightness of art', a Battambang born NGO that promotes social and cultural education through the arts. Established in 1986 in a refugee camp along the Thai border, PPS aims to artistically alleviate the burden of financial, social and physical handicap by offering complimentary courses in visual art, circus, music, drama and dance to all members of society. Talking with the founders of PPS, Srey Bandol and Khoun Det, it quickly becomes apparent that leaving a socially constructive footprint on the local community is the ultimate goal of Tini Tinou as it endeavours to nurture a regionally conscious circus dynamic. PPS hopes to save street children and orphans from a life of destitution by providing free access to education in their subsidised public school and by running street-theatre performances that highlight the social dangers the vulnerable may face such as abuse, prostitution and health issues.
Besides providing a platform for individuals to express themselves artistically, PPS hopes that the training will encourage and enable artists to make a sustainable living from the arts both in and outside of Cambodia. Everyday the PPS arts school, established in 1998, attracts 130 students who enjoy the free activities, support and access to an education. To encourage the family to send their children to school, PPS divides and distributes profits back into the community.
In an attempt to decentralise the arts and in keeping with its philosophy of bringing creative opportunities to provinces outside of the capital, Tini Tinou will be held in Battambang, a region known for its culture. The title of the festival, meaning 'here, there', is fitting for the flexible nature of the circus and the organiser's future aim of introducing the art across the country. There are plans for next year's performance to be held in Sihanoukville.
The Opening Parade, held in Phnom Penh on Saturday 29th March, will kick start the festival as the city is invited to sample a taste of the Tini Tinou experience beginning at 4pm, Chenla Theatre ending at the new National Theatre on Mao Tse Toung Boulevard. A free opening show will begin at 6.30pm at the new National Theatre, all are invited to enjoy!