Watch Fenja Barteldres take the wheel

Meet the talented 'Cyr Wheel' circus artist

02-12-2025

Have you ever heard about the Cyr Wheel? An acrobatic ring that a performer can use to circle and spin around. The talented Fenja Barteldres has not only perfected this art form, but even uses the acrobatic ring without its screws.

Find out what inspired her and what her dreams are for the future in this article about her upcoming performance Great Catch. In both moments of freedom and happines, or during difficult or bitter times, Fenja's art of the Cyr Wheel helps her see the positivity and humor of the situation.

Experience her hypnotising performance for yourself on Friday, January 30 at Podium Hoge Woerd!

Get your tickets for Great Catch

How and when did you fall in love with the Cyr wheel?

At the age of 13, in my youthcircus 'Zirkus Ragazzi' in Germany, after our teacher, Robert Eisele, bought two Cyr wheels, for us to try out and play around with. In addition to watching the amazing videos of Angelica Bongiovanni and Aime Morales.

Where does your inspiration for your performance come from?

The initial idea was inspired by a club juggler, Batist van Bakel, whom I was supposed to take as a source of inspiration for a new act as part of a school assignment. His five white clubs encouraged me to disassemble my wheel into its five separate parts and explore juggling patterns with them. His playfullness and creativity still echos in the way of my performance.

What happened when you decided to take out the screws?

I felt happy, then lost, then stupid, next; encouraged by friends, then like a genius, then a bit less like a genius and in the end happy again.

What is your ritual before you enter the stage?

I wash and dry my bare feet. I tuck up my hair the way it's needed for my performance (not too loose, not too tight). Then I get ready, standing, holding my wheel. I close my eyes for a bit, feel my body and breath.

What do you wish the audience takes away from your performance?

A blown mind, some laughter and tears, the encouragement to see the beauty in mistakes and the benefits from difficult situations.

What are your dreams for the future?

Pursue my global performance opportunities, of course being environmentally friendly, while collaborating with Cirque du Soleil, retaining my authorship rights for Cyrrealism, perform at small lovely festivals that warm your heart by making lots of money, and have many wheelers and artists be inspired by my research and taking it further, while at the same time remaining the coolest of them, obviously.

Continue my career while I’m still physically functional, have children while biology still returns my calls, and miraculously manage to see my friends and family on something resembling a regular basis.

Oh, and maybe shed a bit of my cynicism along the way. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Fenja Barteldres at Podium Hoge Woerd

The performance by Fenja Barteldres on Friday, January 30, is part of Great Catch. During this night, you get to know a new generation of talented circus artists selected by the Circus Coalitie. Aside from Fenja Barteldres, House of Circus will mesmerise you with their acrobatic drag performance while Knot on Hands discovers the full potential of three acrobats on stage. Experience a diverse and magical evening full of amazing circus.

Get your ticket for Great Catch

Watch Fenja take the wheel (apart)

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