Preserving the Living History of Juggling
One of the greatest treasures of the European Juggling Association is its vast and ever-growing archive — a unique collection that documents decades of juggling culture, community, and creativity.
Since the very first European Juggling Convention, an enormous amount of material has been generated by jugglers across Europe and beyond. Today, this archive includes:
- Thousands of photographs capturing iconic moments, performances, and community life
- Rare and historic videos from early conventions
- Posters, flyers, and visual identities from past EJCs
- Juggling magazines, newsletters, and printed publications
- Personal documents, notes, and memorabilia from jugglers and organisers
- Records of shows, workshops, and artistic evolution within the juggling world
This archive is not just a collection — it is the living memory of our community.
Towards a Digital Archive
The EJA is currently working towards making this immense archive accessible online.
Our goal is to:
- Digitise as much material as possible
- Create a structured and searchable archive
- Make the history of juggling available to everyone
- Preserve fragile materials for future generations
This is a long-term project that requires time, care, and collaboration.
Help Us Grow the Archive
The archive is a collective effort — and it is still growing.
If you:
- Have photos, videos, or materials from past conventions
- Know tools or platforms that could help structure and expand the archive
- Want to contribute to the preservation of juggling history
👉 Please get in touch: archive@eja.net
Together, we can ensure that the history of juggling is not only remembered — but shared, celebrated, and continuously expanded.
Archive Exhibitions at EJCs
Over the years, the archive has not remained hidden — it has been actively shared with the community through exhibitions at multiple European Juggling Convention editions.
These exhibitions have taken many forms:
Historical Photo Exhibitions
Collections of images from early conventions, showing the evolution of juggling styles, props, and community life.
Posters & Graphic Design Retrospectives
Walls of visual identity from decades of EJCs, reflecting changing aesthetics, political moments, and artistic trends.
Video Corners
Spaces where participants could watch rare footage of past shows, legendary performers, and iconic convention moments.
Juggling Publications & Magazines
Displays of printed culture — newsletters, magazines, and independent publications that shaped the juggling scene.
Community Memory Installations
Contributions from jugglers themselves: personal objects, stories, and artifacts that reflect the diversity of the community.
These exhibitions are often among the most emotional spaces at an EJC — places where generations meet, memories resurface, and the identity of the community becomes visible.