Street performer from Sweden lives his dream
Entertaining folks around the world is awesome, says ‘Sven’
Taking his hobby and turning it into his career has meant international street performer “Sven from Sweden” can tour the world and experience things he had previously only dreamt of.
And his audiences at the National Arts Festival’s Village Green could be forgiven for thinking they might be dreaming too.
Juggling toilet rolls “from Sweden” to spinning a plate of traditional Swedish meatballs on his head while standing atop three tables and a microwave “from Ikea”, Sven from Sweden said it was the interaction with his audiences that made his performances so enjoyable.
“It’s like a juggling comedy show, so a lot of interaction with the audience and a lot of improvisation, and also using volunteers a lot – so every show is different, you never know what’s going to happen,” the Swede – who insists on being identified by his character’s name, Sven – said.
First performing his show in 2011 “just to try it out”, Sven, 29, has been performing at busker and other festivals on a full-time basis since 2013.
“After 2012/13, I went on a tour that didn’t really stop.
“I have been to 20 countries for street shows and festivals – so it has been a crazy journey,” he said.
Admitting he has experienced some ups and downs since starting his career as a street performer, Sven said the best part was meeting new people and experiencing different cultures.
“In some countries people are really afraid to help you out, maybe they think you are going to embarrass them or something, but people are very helpful here [in South Africa] – they give me energy and I try and give them energy back.”
Sven, who has juggled since the age of 12, said he has always had a passion for magic and performing but lamented that there were not many opportunities for him to become a busker at home in Sweden.
“Once a year there is a [busker] festival in Sweden. Buskers come from all over the world for one week so I saw these big shows and I thought, ‘that’s awesome, they just put their stuff in a suitcase and go to the next show or next gig’.
“When I saw these people when I was young I thought that was my dream, so that is why I wanted to do this.”
As a first-time visitor to South Africa, and the continent as a whole, Sven said he was pleasantly surprised by how friendly people are.
“It’s been really great, people have been very helpful and not shy at all,” he said.
Asked to describe his show, he said though he incorporated difficult tricks in his performances, they were more about the comedy than the tricks.
Catch Sven from Sweden daily at the National Arts Festival’s Amazing Stages at the Village Green.
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