Grant Map EU

The project name “Magicians’ Lublin” is a reference to the eponymous character in I.B. Singer’s novel The Magician of Lublin. Held under the patronage of the illusionist and acrobat Jasza Mazur, the project is a symbolic evocation of the multicultural and multi-religious tradition of the city. The event has quickly become a showpiece of Lublin demonstrating the city’s spirituality, cultural wealth and magical atmosphere. The organizers of the event are the Centre of Cultural Animation, the Culture Workshops, the Lublin branch of Culture Centre, the Magicians Foundation and the Office of the Mayor of the City of Lublin.

The idea for the Magicians’ Carnival (the Magicians’ Festival until 2010) was born as a result of the marketing strategy “Lublin – a City of Inspiration”. This joyful carnival features a pageantry of New Circus performances, juggling feats, theatre plays, street circus shows involving the audience and buskers playing all over the city. Other attractions involve performing arts and installations – often by world-class artists from Lublin, such as R. Kuśmirowski or J. Koziara.

All these events take place in the heart of the city – Błonia Park, the courtyard of Lublin Castle, plac Zamkowy, the Old Town with its narrow streets and plac Litewski. The annual Grand Parade serves to uphold the tradition of carnival parades. The motto of the Magicians Foundation reads: “If the world, as it is, were the best of all the possible worlds, then people would doubtless need no play or carnival to be happy” (Mikhail Bakhtin) – a philosophy confirmed by the several thousand revellers drawn by the event. The audience is entertained by the best artists from all over the world. The annual carnival features four performances combining drama and circus art, and several dozen street shows and plays. The organizers also run workshops focusing on juggling, acrobatic and clowning skills both for absolute beginners and professionals.

In 2012 Lublin will host the European Juggling Convention which is the world’s largest and most prestigious event featuring amateur jugglers, as well as New Circus and street artists. Held annually since 1978,  the European Convention in fact attracts participants from all over the world.

Promotional tools include a web site (www.sztukmistrze.eu), leaflets, LED displays and outdoor advertising. Billboards in numerous Polish cities encourage people to take part in the event. The Jury of the 4th contest Poland Even More Beautiful. Seven Miracles of EU Funds granted this unique project the first prize in the Promotional Product category.