Revealing the "world of possibilities" offered by the track to these little ones is the "crazy project" of Victor Cathala and Kati Pikkarainen.

"We naturally turned to young people in difficulty, from neighborhoods where culture is not necessarily a fulcrum," said Victor, 42, to AFP.

To the tune of "Somewhere over the rainbow", this artist with imposing stature lifts little Kenza like a feather who, with apparent ease, performs all kinds of figures in the air.

"You have to let go. Trust in the other and give it back. There is a letting go which is beneficial", maintains Victor, who grew up in Muret.

Circassian artist Victor Cathala, co-founder of the Aïtal circus lifts little Kenza during a rehearsal of their show in Muret, Haute-Garonne, December 18, 2021 Valentine CHAPUIS AFP

The circus artist insists to children, some of whom are dropping out of school, on the importance of perseverance.

"Nothing is taken for granted, it's work every day."

His partner Kati also grew up in cities in Finland.

It was thanks to an educator, who set up a circus school, that she found her way.

"Shooting star"

"Working with these young people was really a gamble. They remind me a lot of my childhood, when the circus school made me forget everything about my family history", confides nostalgic the 39-year-old circus artist, pulling up her locks. blondes.

"And if one or two of these children took this path, that would be great already," Kati hopes.

Victor Cathala (d) and Kati Pikkarainen, co-founders of the Aïtal circus in Muret, Haute-Garonne, December 18, 2021 Valentine CHAPUIS AFP

A dream that echoes the aspirations of Kenza, 9 years old.

"I want to become a circus professional like Kati and Victor", launches the little brunette girl with the intense gaze in a very confident tone.

Spinning in the air, "it's like there's nothing and no one around me anymore. Like a shooting star."

For four months, the seven children participating in the project, aged 8 to 12, trained with Victor and Kati in a municipal gymnasium.

Before discovering, amazed, the Aïtal circus tent during two dress rehearsals in mid-December.

Stepping onto this new stage after a solo act, Kenza gracefully greets an imaginary audience.

"Proud" of its partnership with the Aïtal circus in this project called "Tous en piste", the municipality of Muret wishes to continue the adventure with this "socially very disadvantaged" public.

From l to r: Kenza, Louise, Nina-Rose, Jordan and Kilian during a rehearsal of the Aïtal circus show at Muret, in Haute-Garonne, December 18, 2021 Valentine CHAPUIS AFP

"They sometimes have the feeling that certain cultural actions are not necessarily for them. We want to tell them that if," enthuses Sophie Touzet, deputy mayor PS of Muret, in charge of cultural affairs.

Discover its capabilities

"I hope that they will have realized that art and culture are within their reach, that they can be an actor and a spectator", she says, wishing that beyond the technical prowess, it will remain with children these "values ​​of solidarity and teamwork carried by circus companies".

Jordan Ako, dark skin tone and laughing eyes, does a bit of a clown during rehearsal.

If he dreams of becoming an engineer, the circus has opened his eyes to his abilities.

The French circus artist Victor Cathala, co-founder of Cirque Aïtal, carries the young Jordan on his back during a rehearsal, December 18, 2021 in Muret, Haute-Garonne Valentine CHAPUIS AFP

"Adults often say + you're a child, you're good for nothing, do your work at school and we'll see later. + But we too are capable of doing extraordinary things. Even a real show! C 'is what I learned here, "said the mischievous man, taking a serious look.

A "real" show therefore with two performances in front of more than 150 people each evening, under the big top of this circus which has performed in Argentina, Brazil or China.

"Throughout the rehearsals, we saw stars in their eyes and that's what matters to us. We wanted to tell them that there are plenty of doors that open to them, and we see that some already have hand on the handle, "Victor says.

© 2021 AFP