Learning through experience: Albert Berner Foundation supports circus project at Kupferzell comprehensive school

Künzelsau, June 25, 2019 – With a spectacular project, the Johann Friedrich Mayer School (JFMS) in Kupferzell is impressively demonstrating that education is much more than pure knowledge transfer. From July 8 to 13, 2019, the theme will be “Let the show begin!” when the school hosts a major circus week with 535 pupils from all classes. The Albert Berner Foundation is supporting the event’s preparation and implementation with a donation of 10,000 euros.

Learning through experience: Albert Berner Foundation supports circus project at Kupferzell comprehensive school Berner Group
Learning through experience: Albert Berner Foundation supports circus project at Kupferzell comprehensive school

“Circus education combines art and education in a unique way,” says Ursula Berner, Chairwoman of the Foundation Council of the Albert Berner Foundation. “Instead of a performance mindset, the focus is on teamwork, experience and promoting both personality and social competence. All the pupils will be given the opportunity to identify with the project. Every last person is important for staging the performance, and everyone can actively participate in the respective shows. At the same time, the children can take on responsibility in a playful way. In the process, they learn that one can only be successful as part of a team.”

Principal Markus Autenrieth came up with the idea of organizing a circus week at the Kupferzell comprehensive school during a private visit to the circus in his home town, Gerabronn. “We are very grateful to the Albert Berner Foundation for its financial support,” he stresses. “Without this generous donation, it would not have been possible to get such a project off the ground. The trust and appreciation shown to our school has been amazing. I am proud and very happy.”

Diverse program offer
JFMS has found an experienced partner for the project week in the form of “Zirkus ABEBA”. The motto of the teaching team from Freiburg is “Anything but everyday”. Participants can choose from a correspondingly broad offer – from pantomime, trampoline and trapeze through juggling, hula hooping and rope skipping to clowns, fakirs and magicians, everything is included. On the first day, pupils will be given an overview of the various disciplines. They can then decide which area they would like to study during the project week and can also integrate up to four personal requests in their performances.

“In particular, the concept allows disadvantaged children and young people to experience a high level of social acknowledgment, self-confidence and community integration,” underlines Principal Markus Autenrieth. “In our circus, everyone is unique and inspiring. Whether sporty or not, whether young or old, boy or girl, with or without a disability – everyone is included and can make a real contribution to the overall success.” From Monday (July 8), the young artists will spend five days studying their choreographies in small multi-class groups. It goes without saying that the 535 pupils will also be dressed in authentic costumes for the performances.

Four public performances
After the dress rehearsal, things will get serious. For on Friday (July 12) and Saturday (July 13) there will be public performances at 3:00 and 6:00 p.m., during which the children will present what they have learned in the ring. JFMS will erect the circus tent of the Circus Compostelli from Schwäbisch Hall on the school grounds. The tent has a diameter of 28 meters and a capacity of several hundred seats. In addition to parents, local residents and interested citizens from the region are warmly invited to attend the project week’s grand finale. Tickets cost five euros per person. Reservations can be made by calling JFMS directly in Kupferzell at 07944 - 941 9010.    

Albert Berner Foundation
The non-profit Albert Berner Foundation was established in 1995 to mark the 60th birthday of its namesake, Albert Berner. The Albert Berner Foundation is dedicated to supporting children and adults in the social and cultural field, as well as in sports and education, mainly in the Hohenlohe region. Since its inception, the foundation has helped extensive lighthouse projects as well as smaller organizations to advance their goals. The Albert Berner Foundation pays particular attention to the long-term nature of the projects it supports, in addition to the regional factor. For many years, numerous organizations and projects have enjoyed the support of the Foundation.

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