Karolina Chwilczyńska-Szaflik
Aerial silks / Poland /
“(…) I feel ready to step on stage not only as an acrobat, but also as an artist sharing something deeply personal.”
She is afraid of heights, yet chose aerial acrobatics. Her main apparatus is the aerial silk — her first and greatest love.
“I love it for its plasticity and the endless possibilities it offers.”
She always wanted to work in circus. As a child, she went to every circus performance nearby, watching, applauding, and dreaming. She also wanted to be a teacher.
“(…) in a way, those dreams have come true — though in a slightly different, perhaps even better form.”
Today, she performs on stage and teaches acrobatics. She enjoys working with people and for people. She has a deep curiosity about the world: asking questions, engaging in discussions, seeking meaning and new perspectives. She radiates energy and enthusiasm. Creating gives her a sense of fulfillment, and every performance is an opportunity to share that joy.
What she values most in contemporary circus is its freedom — the absence of rigid rules and limits. She appreciates that it abandons the pure “wow” effect in favor of deeper exploration of emotions and stories.
Her act is a story about struggling with oneself and the world, about trying to fit into imposed frameworks, stepping out of the comfort zone, and confronting personal fears. She describes her style as expressive yet intimate and personal — combining strong, dynamic moments with pauses and calm, creating space for reflection.