We’re absolutely delighted! The Upsala Circus from Zeitz has won one of the coveted NEB_PRIZES! The circus troupe had submitted the children’s and young people’s project “Große Leute” (“Big people”) to the European Commission’s annual competition and had already made it through to the shortlist. On 15 October 2026, the 13 winning projects of the New European Bauhaus Awards were announced – and among them is the Upsala-Circus with “Große Leute” from Zeitz, Saxony-Anhalt! Congratulations!
The Circus-Carnival Project received the award in the category ‘Arts, Culture and Heritage as Drivers of Change’ and serves as an exemplary illustration of how culture and social inclusion can strengthen social cohesion and the development of cities undergoing structural change. The prize is worth €20,000. The annual NEB Prizes recognise outstanding innovative projects, initiatives and ideas that embody and successfully combine the NEB’s values: sustainability, inclusivity and beauty.
What is Big People? A street circus organised by Upsala-Circus, Zeitz. In June 2026, it took place for the third time, this time in collaboration with Bauhaus Agentinnen from the NEB_PROJECT Reallabor ZEKIWA Zeitz. Under the motto ‘Don’t think of elephants’, costumes were sewn and figures crafted, whilst rehearsals and training took place, all carried out together with joy, imagination and creativity. In June 2026, the colourful parade – in which children slipped into the roles of grown-ups and took over their town – wound its way through the streets together with their families and friends, encouraging everyone to join in and have fun. Zeitz became a wonderful meeting place for the community.
Who is the Upsala-Circus? It is an open circus that has been working creatively and actively with children, young people and families from diverse backgrounds in Zeitz since 2018. It offers free circus training and initiates inclusive projects. Together, they organise an annual circus carnival that transforms public spaces into places of encounter.
Find out more here:
All the winners of the 2026 NEB PRIZES
NEB PRIZES 2026 – Website for the awards ceremony and recording
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