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The Metropolitan Circus of Bucharest has been awarded the international BigTopLabel certification for its high standards in artistic quality, audience experience, professional practices and overall environment. The award was presented on 5 November 2026 at the European Parliament in Brussels, in the presence of representatives of the European circus community and European institutions. The decision followed a comprehensive evaluation process that included on‑site inspections and a detailed analysis of the circus’s activities. BigTopLabel assessments consider artistic performance, conditions for audiences and staff, infrastructure, safety, communication, professional standards, and, where applicable, animal welfare. The certification is valid for five years and requires an average score of at least four on a five‑point scale; a total of two institutions receive the award each year. In 2026, the Metropolitan Circus of Bucharest joined Cirkus Arena of Denmark as the only two recipients of the 2026 BigTopLabel certification. Both circuses are now part of the European community of institutions recognized for excellence in circus arts. George Costin, general director of the Metropolitan Circus, led the Romanian delegation at the ceremony. He said: “Circus is a profound form of human knowledge and vital to civilization. It is a play transformed into performance, telling audiences stories about the limitless possibilities of the body, will, and imagination. Circus is fragile; its survival depends on the ability to pass it on as a tradition. There are no tutorials or manuals; mastery is gained in the presence of masters, practiced and refined continuously. We are proud to join the BigTopLabel community and look forward to contributing ideas and projects that promote circus art as an essential part of European cultural heritage.” Vice‑president of the European Parliament, Victor Negrescu, praised the Metropolitan Circus, noting its founding in 1954 and its role in shaping the cultural life of Bucharest. He recalled the circus’s impact on generations of families and expressed admiration for the performers’ talent and determination. The Metropolitan Circus, originally established as the State Circus of Romania in 1954 and later renamed in 1961, has operated from its historic building on Aleea Circului, designed by architect Nicolae Porumbescu and declared a historic monument in 2010. In 2017 it adopted its current name. The BigTopLabel program was launched in October 2016 at a conference organized by then‑Member of the European Parliament István Ujhelyi. The first inspections took place in summer 2018, and the first certificates were awarded in November 2018. By 2025, 18 European circuses had received the certification. The program is coordinated by the Capital European Affairs team in Brussels, under the leadership of István Ujhelyi, and works closely with the European Circus Association and the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque while maintaining independence in its evaluation process. Further information about the Metropolitan Circus’s projects and performances can be found on its website at https://circulmetropolitan.ro/. Article source: Adev&acaron;rul | Image credit: Adev&acaron;rul
The Metropolitan Circus of Bucharest has been awarded the international BigTopLabel certification for its high standards in artistic quality, audience experience, professional practices and overall environment. The award was presented on 5 November 2026 at the European Parliament in Brussels, in the presence of representatives of the European circus community and European institutions. The decision followed a comprehensive evaluation process that included on‑site inspections and a detailed analysis of the circus’s activities. BigTopLabel assessments consider artistic performance, conditions for audiences and staff, infrastructure, safety, communication, professional standards, and, where applicable, animal welfare. The certification is valid for five years and requires an average score of at least four on a five‑point scale; a total of two institutions receive the award each year. In 2026, the Metropolitan Circus of Bucharest joined Cirkus Arena of Denmark as the only two recipients of the 2026 BigTopLabel certification. Both circuses are now part of the European community of institutions recognized for excellence in circus arts. George Costin, general director of the Metropolitan Circus, led the Romanian delegation at the ceremony. He said: “Circus is a profound form of human knowledge and vital to civilization. It is a play transformed into performance, telling audiences stories about the limitless possibilities of the body, will, and imagination. Circus is fragile; its survival depends on the ability to pass it on as a tradition. There are no tutorials or manuals; mastery is gained in the presence of masters, practiced and refined continuously. We are proud to join the BigTopLabel community and look forward to contributing ideas and projects that promote circus art as an essential part of European cultural heritage.” Vice‑president of the European Parliament, Victor Negrescu, praised the Metropolitan Circus, noting its founding in 1954 and its role in shaping the cultural life of Bucharest. He recalled the circus’s impact on generations of families and expressed admiration for the performers’ talent and determination. The Metropolitan Circus, originally established as the State Circus of Romania in 1954 and later renamed in 1961, has operated from its historic building on Aleea Circului, designed by architect Nicolae Porumbescu and declared a historic monument in 2010. In 2017 it adopted its current name. The BigTopLabel program was launched in October 2016 at a conference organized by then‑Member of the European Parliament István Ujhelyi. The first inspections took place in summer 2018, and the first certificates were awarded in November 2018. By 2025, 18 European circuses had received the certification. The program is coordinated by the Capital European Affairs team in Brussels, under the leadership of István Ujhelyi, and works closely with the European Circus Association and the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque while maintaining independence in its evaluation process. Further information about the Metropolitan Circus’s projects and performances can be found on its website at https://circulmetropolitan.ro/.
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