What is Tattoo Circus?

The first Tattoo Circus was organised in 2007 in Rome. Since then, many different activists and collectives have organised Tattoo Circuses throughout Europe. The idea behind the event is to draw attention to systems of state repression, specifically the penal and prison system. Many activists have been taken prisoner for their resistance to corrupt systems of oppression. Political prisoners are often vengefully targeted since questioning and resisting state oppression in any form poses the biggest danger to the status quo, namely the wealthy and powerful. The state attempts to imprison our ideas that critique, undermine and endanger the current system, but ideas cannot be incarcerated. 

In order to continue the political struggle against oppression, we need to have our own systems of solidarity and support in place. This is why it is so important to support those who cannot be with us. The Tattoo Circus is an important element in raising awareness and collecting funds. Tattooing and prisons are historically closely interlaced and this solidarity event allows for a space where political resistance and tattoo culture once again come together. 

The event is non-commercial and fully self-organised. We aim to be anti-capitalist, non-hierarchical and inclusive. All the profits of the event will go to political prisoners in Greece and the squatting fund in Amsterdam so that we can continue to resist the repressive tactics of the state together.