Board members 2026
1. Veneta Stefanova
We are delighted to welcome Veneta Stefanova to the jury of the 10th International Circus Festival Žiburiai, Lithuania. A visionary Bulgarian director, producer, and artistic entrepreneur, Veneta Stefanova is known for championing world-class circus talent and bridging Eastern European and Balkan circus to the global stage. She is the Co-Founding Director of Stefani Art Agency, one of the world’s leading circus agencies, which has represented award-winning artists at the most prestigious international festivals. Veneta began her journey as a Rhythmic Gymnastics champion and then transitioned into performing internationally as an elite circus artist, mastering disciplines from Russian Swing, Perch, High Wire… To Equestrian Acrobatics, performing in many prestigious productions like Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Her transition from performer to producer was marked by the founding of Stefani Art Agency alongside her husband Lachezar Stefanov. Today, she also serves as Director of the International Circus Festival, Golden Horse, Bulgaria and is a respected jury member at major international circus festivals across Europe and Asia. With a Master’s degree in Art Management and decades of experience on both sides of the curtain, Veneta Stefanova brings unparalleled insight into artistic excellence and we are proud to have her expertise as part of this year’s jury.
2. Jasmine Straga
We welcome Jasmine Straga to the jury of 10th International Circus Festival Žiburiai, Lithuania. She is the Founding Director of the Australian Circus Festival, the world’s first competitive multi-genre festival uniting all facets of circus arts, and leads J.S. Creations, a boutique act creation and mentoring company whose graduates have gone to grace some of the world’s finest stages. Jasmine’s journey began as a circus performer touring internationally, before founding Gala Entertainment Management and R Empire, producing, casting and directing shows for casinos, events and Asia’s largest entertainment brand, “Lifebrandz”. A director of the board of the World Circus Federation under the patronage of H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco, and the Steering Committee of the Global Alliance of Circus Schools and is on the Advisory Committee for Theatre Network Australia’s Circus & Physical Theatre Association. Jasmine’s commitment to social circus earned her two consecutive nominations for Australian of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award (2021). Jasmine has organised workshops for refugees, children with cancer, youth at risk, and Indigenous groups, using circus as tool for healing, empowerment, and change. She sat on the Advisory Committee for Circus Center, Ethiopia, the country where her social circus work began through empowering young artists with free workshops, mentoring and donations since 2009. In 2022, Jasmine co-led the SOS Ukraine Circus Project, aiding Ukrainian artists to exit the country safely and continue their education worldwide. She directed the Australian Institute of Circus Arts & Coffs Harbour PCYC Rhythmic Gymnastics Club, and program directed for Flipside Circus, Lee Academy and Performance Art Western Sydney establishing her commitment to circus education. Jasmine founded the Oceania Circus Guild, dedicated to promoting and protecting Circus Arts, actively promoting circus as cultural heritage at international forums such as the World Archaeological Congress. A veteran judge at over 20 major international festivals, we are honored by her expertise on this year’s jury. Jasmine Straga JS Creations. Artistic Direction for Circuses and Artists
3. Zsuzsanna Mata
We are honoured to welcome Zsuzsanna Mata to the jury of the 10th International Circus Festival Žiburiai, Lithuania. Zsuzsanna Mata is the Executive Director of the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque (FMC), bringing decades of leadership, expertise, and passion to the international circus community. Since 2016, she has served as General Advisor of the European Circus Association, where she was previously Managing Director. Her remarkable journey began in 1988 with the Hungarian State Circus (MACIVA), where she led both the International and Artistic Departments. She also represented MACIVA on the ECA Board of Directors from 2002 and later advised the FMC Board from 2009 to 2016. A trained economist and diplomat, Zsuzsanna is also one of the founding forces behind the Budapest International Circus Festival, contributing to its success for over two decades as part of its Organizing Committee. Her dedication to circus arts has taken her across the world as a respected jury member and keynote speaker at major festivals and events. In recognition of her outstanding contribution, she was awarded the Silver Merit Cross of the Republic of Hungary in 2005. She is also the author of several circus-related books, articles, and programs. With her vast experience and deep passion for circus, we are proud to have her expertise guiding this year’s festival.
4. Petras Variakojis
Introducing Petras Variakojis to the jury of the 10th International Circus Festival Ziburiai in Lithuania. Petras is a Lithuanian circus artist-clown, aerial gymnast (at the beginning of his career), and animal trainer. He represents the oldest dynasty of circus artists in Lithuania and is the founder and director of Lithuania’s only professional circus, “Baltijos cirkas.” In 1976, Petras graduated from the Moscow School of Variety and Circus Arts. He made his debut in the circus arena with the aerial gymnastics act “Aerial Flight,” performed by five gymnasts. Shortly thereafter, he married Olga, a fellow student from the same circus school who specialized in bicycle acrobatics. Starting in 1981, Petras and his wife Olga revived a popular animal training act featuring pigs, titled “The Shepherdess and the Shepherd,” within the “Vilnius” troupe. The act, humorously dubbed “Baltic Tigers,” showcased pigs jumping through flaming hoops and became the promotional face of “Vilnius” for several years. This act was performed in international circuses and continued until 1996. In 1995, Petras founded the public institution “Baltijos cirkas,” where he serves as both director and performer. In 2000, Petras was awarded the title of Academician by the Russian Circus Arts Academy. In 2007, he received the Silver Honorary Badge from the Russian Circus Arts Academy.
5. Pavel Kotov
We are honoured to welcome Pavel Kotov to the jury of the 10th International Circus Festival Žiburiai, Lithuania. With over 20 years at Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, he has helped shape what the world sees on stage and who gets there. He played a central role in the casting and creation of 47 productions and events, contributing to a body of work that has defined contemporary circus worldwide. From leading global casting and artist management to driving business strategy and international expansion, his career sits at the intersection of creative vision and global industry infrastructure. Today, as Founder of REARTIX Casting & Creative Services, Pavel continues to influence the international landscape, working with leading companies including Feld Entertainment and Dragone Entertainment Group, and collaborating with top festivals around the world. His artists consistently achieve the highest honours on the global stage. His impact extends into elite sport as a Board Member of Gymnastics Canada and Gymnastique Québec, with strong ties to the International Gymnastics Federation, bridging the worlds of high-performance sport and circus excellence. As a lecturer at McGill University, he also mentors the next generation in live show creation and creative industries. With jury experience across 37 major international festivals, Pavel brings a rare perspective, understanding not only what makes an act exceptional, but what allows it to succeed globally. His presence on this jury represents excellence and a vision for the global future of circus.
6. Serenity Smith Forchion
We are honoured to welcome Serenity Smith Forchion to the jury of the 10th International Circus Festival Žiburiai, Lithuania. Serenity Smith Forchion is a visionary artist whose work has helped shape contemporary circus across performance, education, and creative innovation. An award-winning aerialist and creative director, her career spans iconic stages including duo swinging trapeze with Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group and performances with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and the Pickle Family Circus. As Founder of Nimble Arts and the New England Center for Circus Arts, the largest circus school in the United States… Serenity has built one of the most influential training hubs in the world, elevating circus education and creating pathways for the next generation of artists. She is also a founding member of the San Francisco Circus Center and the American Circus Alliance, contributing to the growth and advocacy of the circus sector nationwide. Her work has been recognised with major honours including the Vermont Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts and the American Circus Educators Award for Excellence in Education, alongside international festival awards. Her presence on this jury represents innovation, leadership, and a powerful commitment to the future of circus. We are proud to welcome Serenity Smith Forchion.
7. Stefan Ballack
We are delighted to welcome Stefan Ballack to the jury of the 10th International Circus Festival Žiburiai, Lithuania. A visionary German circus director, producer, and cultural entrepreneur, Stefan Ballack is known for creating high-quality seasonal circus and variety productions that captivate modern audiences. He is the Founder, Director, and CEO behind several successful Christmas circus productions across Germany, including Weihnachtscircus Wuppertal, Weihnachtscircus Mönchengladbach, Weihnachtscircus Düsseldorf, and Remscheider Weihnachtscircus, all launched in 2023 and rapidly gaining recognition for their artistic quality and growing audiences. In 2024, he further expanded his creative vision with Winterzauber Varieté, an elegant and immersive variety experience where he continues to serve as Founder, Director, and CEO. Alongside his entrepreneurial success, Stefan has been contributing his expertise as Administrative Director at Inspire Extraordinary since 2023, supporting innovative projects and organizational leadership. With a strong commitment to artistic excellence, audience experience, and modern circus presentation, Stefan Ballack represents a new generation of circus professionals, blending tradition with fresh, forward-thinking production concepts. We are proud to have his expertise as part of this year’s jury.
CIRCUS FESTIVAL LITHUANIA
The circus is designed to give you wonderful moments