The international consolidation of Imaginarius results from a sustained strategy of integration within networks, platforms and partnerships that go beyond the occasional circulation of performances. The festival positions itself as an active agent in policy construction, in defining sectoral priorities and in strengthening cultural ecosystems at a European scale. This international presence is expressed not only through external visibility, but through influence, strategic participation and ongoing access to the discussions that shape the future of performing arts in public space.
Imaginarius is a member of the Circostrada Network, the leading European network dedicated to contemporary circus and arts in public space, co-funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme and the French Ministry of Culture.
With more than 180 members from over 40 countries, Circostrada constitutes a key platform for cooperation, research and knowledge exchange within the sector.
Through this network, Imaginarius operates within an international ecosystem that promotes artistic mobility, strategic reflection, knowledge production and collaboration between festivals, programmers and cultural institutions, reinforcing its position within a European context of dialogue and development for arts in public space.
The award of the EFFE 2026/2027 – Remarkable Arts Festival label recognises Imaginarius as a leading festival within the European landscape.
This quality label, granted under the Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe initiative, distinguishes projects with strong artistic commitment, community relevance and international scope.
Beyond symbolic recognition, this distinction consolidates the festival’s European credibility, strengthens its integration within international programming circuits and validates the strategic consistency of its model, grounded in the relationship between contemporary creation, public space and territory.
The bilateral relationship with the Municipality of Barcelona develops within the framework of popular and participatory artistic practices, notably through the Correfoc project.
This collaboration enables the exchange of experiences between distinct urban contexts, reflecting on the continuity of traditions in public space and their contemporary reinterpretation.
The established dialogue contributes to rethinking the role of collective manifestations, urban rituals and festive occupation of the city as structuring dimensions of cultural identity and as fertile territories for artistic creation.
The partnership with FEDEC is part of a strategy aimed at strengthening training and supporting the transition to professionalisation within the contemporary circus sector.
Through an international open call addressed to students from professional circus schools, Imaginarius creates concrete opportunities for programming and presentation in a professional context.
This collaboration reinforces the link between education and the market, promotes generational renewal and positions the festival as a platform for the integration of emerging artists, contributing to the medium-term sustainability and vitality of the sector.
The collaboration with Outdoor Arts Italia is structured as a bilateral programme dedicated to enhancing the careers of Italian artists, promoting exchanges, programming opportunities and mutual recognition between cultural contexts.
This partnership operates within a framework of strategic cooperation that prioritises mobility, the consolidation of international trajectories and the strengthening of professional networks, reinforcing Imaginarius as a platform mediating between emerging talent and European circuits of dissemination.