Saltimbanquis are circus performers who do acrobatics and juggling in the air or on the ground. The word comes from the Italian “saltare in banco”, meaning “to jump on a bench”, because these performers originally did their acrobatics on benches or raised platforms in the street.
Saltimbanquis are an essential part of circus shows and appear in many kinds of acts, including:
- Trapeze artists: performers who do acrobatics on a trapeze suspended in the air.
- Floor acrobats: performers who do acrobatics on the ground, such as somersaults and flips.
- Tightrope walkers and balancers: performers who balance on ropes, wires or balls.
- Jugglers: performers who throw and catch several objects, such as balls, rings or knives.
- Contortionists: performers who do acts of extreme flexibility and stretching.
Saltimbanquis usually train from an early age and need great physical skill and concentration to perform their acrobatics successfully. They often work as a team and rely on their partners for the more complicated and dangerous stunts.
Throughout history, saltimbanquis have been popular all over the world and a main attraction at many festivals and cultural events. They often wear colorful costumes and makeup to enhance their acts and add a theatrical touch to their performances.
In short, saltimbanquis are circus performers who do acrobatics and juggling in the air or on the ground, and they have been an essential part of the circus for centuries. They master a range of physical skills and work as a team to put on impressive, thrilling acts for their audience.