Smile Overcomes Gravity

Smiling Overcomes Gravity¶

Letter from Toby Philpott, European Director of the IJA
Cascade 001

For two years now, I have held the title "European Director of the International Jugglers Association" (IJA). It's a title W.C. Fields would have loved, sounding important and mysterious, yet meaning very little. I don't "direct" anyone and spend most of my time in England.

The IJA started as a small group of friends and has grown into a large organization with hundreds of members in America. The first European juggling convention was also just a small group of friends in England, but it was the first step towards justifying the word "International." Today, this convention attracts people from over ten different countries.

The conventions are growing, and many non-members attend. Most of them see no reason to join the IJA if the only benefit is an American magazine and a mailing list they'll never use.

I can understand that. If the IJA didn't exist, I would still enjoy meeting other jugglers (not just those who learned from me), I'd want to know where to buy props, where to see shows, where to perform on the street. I'd still want to share ideas and see people who juggle better than I do. I was able to do most of this before I heard of the IJA, but I've seen and done more since we started organizing conventions in Europe. These conventions are the best reason to have an official organization. It's not a union, and we can't arrange gigs or even guarantee friendships.

I believe Europe should have a representative on the American IJA board, someone to liaise with the established members in the States and other countries, and who can start making the organization truly international.

When I enter the hall of a juggling convention, I see two basic types of people. Some are practicing, sweating, perfecting techniques, pushing their own limits. I call these the Olympians, to highlight their pursuit of perfection, their competitive spirit, and that touch of Greek gods and goddesses, or superheroes.

Others have come to play; they laugh and joke, experiment, improvise, exchange ideas, and have fun. I call them the "Traveling Players," and they are the ordinary mortals, the jesters, who use their improvisational skills as all travelers and players must.

You might think someone with a title like "European Director" would be an "Olympian." Actually, I started juggling as a lark during a lazy phase of my life. I now have several years of performing and teaching behind me, but I always want to convey the fun of it; I don't expect a gold medal.

We need the heroes and the clowns. The Olympians can show us what's possible with dedication, they set new standards, and they can themselves enjoy an audience that truly appreciates the work that goes into every single movement.

The Traveling Players are the ones who bring new people in, help new jugglers get started, spread the word, and entertain.

You will be reading this in a magazine initiated by two Germans who would like to see more Europeans in the IJA.

I'm writing this as a letter because I'm not a journalist, and I make my mistakes in public, as usual. If you want this magazine to continue, please write to the editors or send photos. If you want Europe to play a more significant role in the IJA, write to me, and I will try to explain our position to the other board members. If you'd prefer an independent European group, then go ahead and start one. I think it would be a shame to completely split from an organization that has existed for 37 years and has members in many countries.

By the way, if you think a real Olympian would be a better spokesperson for Europe, you can run yourself, or find a juggling politician to be our representative for 1985.
In the meantime, I hope to see you during our few days together. And don't forget: Smiling overcomes gravity. (That's a good slogan for winning an election, or giving our translators headaches.)