The Allan and Bo Hjelt Art Foundation and Circus & Dance Finland have established a collaboration that brings international circus expertise to Finland. Through this partnership, Swedish circus director Tilde Björfors will visit Helsinki in January 2026 as part of an initiative to foster cross-border dialogue within the performing arts sector.

In September 2025, Circus & Dance Finland submitted a cooperation proposal to the Allan and Bo Hjelt Art Foundation, requesting support to invite four international guests to Finland. These visits were planned in connection with two events: the Moving in November Festival (6–16 November 2025) and the Hurjaruuth Winter Circus (10 December 2025 – 25 January 2026). The collaboration has brought together international guests with Finnish circus and dance professionals. As an ending to this collaboration, a Morning Coffee event is put together in January with Tilde Björfors.

Morning Coffee with Tilde Björfors

On 16 January 2026, Circus & Dance Finland will host a morning coffee event with Tilde Björfors at the Cable Factory in Helsinki. The gathering offers Finnish circus professionals an opportunity to engage with one of Scandinavia's leading circus directors.

During the event, Björfors will share insights from her career as a circus director, artistic leader, and researcher. Her perspectives on creating interdisciplinary work, navigating international collaborations, and developing artistic vision will provide learning opportunities for Finnish practitioners.

The Allan and Bo Hjelt Art Foundation has financed this visit, enabling Finnish circus professionals to access international expertise and perspectives. Such encounters benefit individual practitioners and contribute to the development of Finland's circus sector.

Circus & Dance Finland

Circus & Dance Finland serves as the national information center for circus and dance in Finland. Operating from the Cable Factory in Helsinki, the organization provides services to professionals and audiences, including performance calendars, databases, professional resources, and international networking opportunities.

The organization's work includes maintaining databases of Finnish circus and dance companies, facilitating international collaborations and tours, and organizing professional development opportunities for artists and practitioners. Through projects such as Performing HEL and Ice Hot, Circus & Dance Finland strengthens the position of Finnish performing arts internationally.

Tilde Björfors

Tilde Björfors is a Swedish artist and innovator whose career spans multiple dimensions of circus arts. As a director, artistic leader, playwright, and researcher, she works with circus as her primary artistic language, which she integrates into collaborations with diverse art forms.

Björfors's work includes collaborations with Scandinavian cultural institutions. Her production "Borders" (2015) was created with Malmö City Theatre and Cirkus Cirkör, while "God's Disobedient Rib" (2020) involved the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm. "Satyagraha" (2016-2018) toured internationally to venues including BAM in New York City and Copenhagen Opera Festival. Other productions include "Inside Out" (2008-2011), "Limits" (2016-2019), "Circus Days and Nights" (2021) at Malmö Opera House, and "Pippi at the Circus" (2022-2023).