On 8 October 2026, the jury awarded Leandre Ribera Spain’s National Circus Award, which carries €30,000 from the Ministry of Culture.
The honour recognises six decades of work rooted in silent cinema, mime and the theatre of the absurd. It also brings the Barcelona artist’s teaching and artistic influence to the fore in one of Spain’s basic circus distinctions.
Ribera’s career is not tied to a single production. The jury described him as an international benchmark in clowning and gestural theatre. His work spans classical and contemporary circus, as well as street performance. Several generations of clowns in Spain have drawn on it.
The Ministry’s announcement says Ribera, born in Barcelona in 1966, has built his career as a clown and director, working through the companies La Tal and Leandre Clown.
The Ministry’s decision also reflects Ribera’s commitment to passing professional knowledge on to younger artists. Its announcement describes his view of the stage as unique and sensitive.
Comic precision runs through his work, alongside rhythm and the poetic use of objects. The official statement links those qualities to the 2025 productions Gota, Triplette, Woof and UFA. The shows were praised for their gestural humour, which gives dramatic expression a central role in circus.
Ribera’s work spans companies and formats. He was a founding member of La Tal, then created Leandre Clown, the company that took his work across Spain and internationally.
His credits include Fragile. He made Madame et Monsieur with Claire Ducreux, while Dèmodès was produced through La Tal. His solo productions include Chez Leandre, Street-tease and Desbandad.
Ara.cat reported that before receiving the national award, Ribera was recognised for Rodó, a production created for the winter circus at Ateneu Popular de Nou Barris in collaboration with Teresa Celis. His earlier honours include the Zirkòlika award in 2013 and the Ciutat de Barcelona Circus Award in 2014.
The catalogue also includes N´importe quoi and Fly me to the moon, both associated with Leandre Clown. He created Home with Cris Clown.
Home won the Audience Award at the 2025 International Performing Arts Fair for children, young people and families. Ribera received the FETÉ award for best production for Home in 2023.
His record of prizes began well before the national honour. Ribera won the National Award of Catalonia for Best Circus Show in 2006 and the Catalan Circus Award for Best Street Show in 2010.
The Zirkólika Award for Best Stage Direction followed in 2013, and the Ciutat de Barcelona Circus Award came in 2014. Recognition for Rodó places his work alongside established circus institutions and collaborative projects.
In its coverage, Deia described the decision as recognition of Ribera’s standing as a performer and director. His mentoring also extends beyond his own appearances.
The award comes in a year that has brought a wider slate of national cultural honours in Spain. Another 2026 award has recognised a long-running artistic career alongside a recent body of work. In Ribera’s case, the Ministry’s citation links established technique with new productions and the passing on of knowledge.
Ribera succeeds the Galician company Pistacatro, which received the National Circus Award in 2025. This year’s decision recognises an artist whose career spans companies, collaborations and solo performances. It recognises clowning as both a performance language and a sustained professional practice.
National Circus Awards recognise the work of Spanish circus professionals and organisations in Spain and abroad. Ribera’s awards, international work, recent productions and commitment to younger artists form the record behind the 2026 distinction.
