Meet our new 2023-2024 European Solidarity Corps Volunteers

The European Solidarity Corps programme supports young people aged 18-30 to be full-time volunteers in many foreign countries, and this year our volunteers are from France, Germany and Italy. Below you can get to know a bit about our new volunteers.

What city/country are you from? Who is your sending organization?

I’m from Berlin, Germany. My sending organization is another Youth Circus named Cabuwazi.

What were you doing before you came to Galway to volunteer at Galway Community Circus?

I finished school in the summer. I was also a member of a circus in Berlin, where I trained for over 13 years where I was able to gain some experience through performances. I also visited a circus in Israel and trained there together with others.

What will you be doing this year at Galway Community Circus?

I will work in the circus as a tutor assistant and play together with children and bring them closer to the art of the circus.

What are you looking forward to learning while volunteering at Galway Community Circus?

I would like to expand my circus experience and I would also like to work on my own skills. In addition, I would share my knowledge and passion for the circus.

What city/country are you from? Who is your sending organisation?

I’m from Lille, which is in the north of France, near the Belgium border. Lille is also part of the Flanders, a shared region between France and Belgium, with specific history and traditions. My sending organization is Mission Locale Lille Avenirs.

What were you doing before you came to Galway to volunteer at Galway Community Circus?

Before arriving here, I had many different experiences all related to arts and culture. I graduated with a master’s degree in Cinema and New Images at Lille University. Then I worked in a theatre, exhibitions, and at Lille Opera, mostly working with the public and artists but also later in administrative roles. I have more of a theoretical background in arts and less in practice but I’m hoping to gain more practical experience. The last few summers, I took part in organising a local food and music festival, mostly by setting up the stage, producing marketing, photography and an after movie.

What will you be doing this year at Galway Community Circus?

As an arts administration assistant, I will be supporting the Galway Community Circus team in many ways on projects, through reception, the Social Circus programme, communications, and environmental sustainability.

What are you looking forward to learning while volunteering at Galway Community Circus?

Lots of things! Learning about Ireland in all subjects, meeting people, getting to know about local culture in arts and traditions. I’m looking to improve my skills but also try new things, practice related, such as rigging or circus skills.

What city/country are you from? Who is your sending organization?

I come from Rennes, Bretagne, France. My sending organization is JTM (Rennes). One of my colleagues who worked a lot with this organisation talked to me about this programme and now I am here.

What were you doing before you came to Galway to volunteer at Galway Community Circus?

I was a youth leader. I worked in a place where teenagers go to hang out, do activities and meet people when there is no school. My work was to propose activities like games or crafty activities, and the most important part of this job was to listen to them and help them get through their problems.

I also did 15 years of gymnastics; I was a coach, a judge and a gymnast. And I love makeup. I’d like to be a makeup artist for cinema. I have already done makeup for some projects like short movies and theatre. I am also a volunteer every year at a music festival.

What will you be doing this year at Galway Community Circus?

This year I'll be a tutor assistant, teaching and learning with the youth members. I also have a lot of ideas, projects, and other things that I would like to bring to the circus, so I can contribute to this beautiful community.

What are you looking forward to learning while volunteering at Galway Community Circus?

I wanted to take a year just for me, to work on myself, and start everything again. I want to learn everything I can and meet new people and learn from them.

What city/country are you from? Who is your sending organisation?

I am Gabriella Armini and I am Italian, I come from Naples, south Italy, where my sending organization is based, Noi@Europe.

What were you doing before you came to Galway to volunteer at Galway Community Circus?

A few months before I came to Galway, I graduated with a degree in Graphics and Illustration at the Fine Arts Academy, and before that I graduated with a degree in languages (French and English). While I was studying at university my hobby was theatre. Eventually I worked as a set designer and brought our play to various theatres in Italy, and I worked as illustrator for some projects before studying Fine Arts.

Meanwhile I studied aerial silks for five years and aerial rope for one year, which are disciplines that I deeply love.

What will you be doing this year at Galway Community Circus?

This year at the Galway Community Circus I will be a tutor assistant, helping tutors during classes and shows. I will train, and most of all I hope to share my aerial silks knowledge and learn as much as possible from the students and artists who work here about their disciplines and about being performers and teachers. I hope to get to know the circus scene in Ireland as much as possible and meet the many people that belong to it.

What are you looking forward to learning while volunteering at Galway Community Circus?

This is the second time I am living abroad and I already know how enriching it is to meet people and environments different from mine, so I can’t wait to see what the next few months will bring me here.

Learn more about the European Solidarity Corps programme here.

Galway Community Circus's European Solidary Corps programme is supported by Erasmus+ and Leargas.