Planète Diabolo – Jan HimSelf, Swiss Diabolo Artist
A passion for diabolo turned into a professional career
Planète Diabolo, an international diabolo project
In 2014, Jan HimSelf took part in Planète Diabolo, a DVD bringing together diabolo artists from around the world.
Each performer brought their own style, technique and personal approach to diabolo.
For Jan, being part of the project was a special moment. By then, diabolo had already been part of his life for many years.
A passion for diabolo since the age of 6
Jan first picked up a diabolo when he was just 6 years old.
But it was during his teenage years that something really clicked. He became completely hooked and would spend hours practising.
And yet, it didn’t come naturally at first.
As a child, Jan wasn’t particularly coordinated. It was almost as if his body needed to find its own balance.
Diabolo became much more than a hobby. With countless hours of practice, his movements became more precise, his tricks evolved and all that training eventually paid off.
From years of training to Planète Diabolo
Over the years, diabolo became an increasingly important part of Jan’s life.
It helped him develop coordination, precision and creativity. But it also helped him find his own way of moving and performing on stage.
This passion eventually followed him into his professional circus training at Codarts Rotterdam, where diabolo became one of his main disciplines.
A few years later, taking part in Planète Diabolo felt like a natural continuation of that journey.
The project was led by Nico Pires, a long-time friend of Jan and fellow diabolo artist.
Watch Jan in Planète Diabolo
Discover Jan’s performance in this extract from Planète Diabolo and see his approach to diabolo.
From diabolo to circus performances in Switzerland
More than twenty years after he first discovered diabolo, it is still an important part of Jan’s artistic world.
It has followed him through his professional training, artistic creations and performances in Switzerland and internationally.
Today, Jan draws on this experience to create performances combining circus arts, magic, humour and visual entertainment.
He brings his entertainment for events in Switzerland to festivals, corporate events and public celebrations in Lausanne, Geneva and throughout the country.
Diabolo also has its place in his street performances, where technical skill, stage presence and interaction with the audience come together.
Jan HimSelf is a Swiss circus artist specialising in diabolo. Today, he creates visual shows and professional circus performances for events throughout Switzerland.