XMAS CIRCUS AT RONCALLI

If we ignore the sad events in the world for a moment and think back to our childhood, we remember a magical, wonderful time full of wishes and dreams. Can you remember and feel it? And every year at Christmas time, a circus tries to bring these beautiful emotions back into our hearts, with its illustrious name that stands for tradition and modernity simultaneously, Roncalli.

THE CIRCUS’ ORIGINS IN BRIEF

The history of the circus as an event venue is old; very old. At all times, minstrels tried to fascinate the audience, on markets, streets, or in the houses of wealthy people.

But it was around 250 years ago that artists came together to join their talents and give people joy in one place. The common goal was always to let them forget the worries of everyday life for a few hours.

Have you ever thought about the origin of the name? Circus… circle… Even in ancient times, the Greeks and Romans derived the name from the actual shape of the venues, which were round or oval-shaped and still are today. Besides, in Latin, the circus stands for the circle.

So, it’s no wonder that the host in the arena is also called Ringmaster in English.

Philip Astley established the first modern circus in 18th-century England. At that time, horse dressage was primarily presented. Hence the shape and size of the ring. The diameter of 13 meters is a perfect size that allows the horses to run comfortably in circles.

CIRCUS – A HERITAGE SITE

Roncalli has not presented animal numbers for many years. Apart from the social development that no longer wants to see animal shows, the species-appropriate keeping of animals is almost no longer possible.

Because in our fast-moving times, we have forgotten to put on the brakes. We have to admit that we know all sorts of background information about the latest streaming series. But when was the last time we went to the theater, the opera, the cinema, or even the circus?

These houses are important cornerstones of our culture, of which we are all so proud and which we want to protect so much, but which we have less and less idea about. However, these houses need us to survive.

Therefore, it’s a social and cultural statement to treat yourself to some culture now and then. Moreover, especially at Christmas time, a visit to the Roncalli circus is a good idea.

THE RONCALLI CIRCUS AND FAMILY

Roncalli was founded by Bernhard Paul, who still runs the family business today. His daughter Lili doesn’t just cut a great figure in the ring. She is also a TV, advertising, and social media star. No wonder, because she is not only stunningly beautiful but also extremely likable and incredibly talented.

But of course, the focus is always on the Roncalli guest artists.
This year these are…

JUSTIN PHILADELPHIA

Right from the start, Roncalli delights us with a real eye-catcher. Young Justin is not only a real circus kid who lives in the circus all year round but also goes to school here. Besides, he is very handsome.

His ancestor came to Europe from Philadelphia, America, almost 270 years ago.

He was a famous magician then. To this day, the whole family follows in his footsteps.

Justin is still young and is trying out a lot of things.

He loves skateboarding, juggling, magic, etc.

However, in the show this winter he shows us a spectacular flying pole number.

It’s fun to watch him. His joy is infectious and immediately draws us into the show.

PAVEL VALLA BERTINI

Pavel also comes from the 5th generation of an old circus family.

His name sounds Czech, but the unicycle artist was born in England and grew up in Spain.

However, of course, Pavel doesn’t limit himself to the unicycle, or have you ever seen that you need a 10-meter-high ladder to get on a bike?

SILKE PAN

Silke dedicates her life to the circus. She wanted to become an artist when she was eleven.

Silke lived this dream until an accident in 2007 dramatically changed her life.

She didn’t want to be tied to a wheelchair.

The ring called. Therefore, she continues to perform her handstand acrobatics. Her courage and strength have been recognized at international festivals such as the Salieri Circus Awards in Italy.

DUO MINASOV

We know the try-on hauls or transition shorts on YouTube. Sometimes, they are well done, and sometimes not. Anyway, Elena and Victor Minasov show live on stage what today’s video technology makes a piece of cake.

The only difference is that no computer or smartphone is used for the seamless clothes changing.

Because without our eyes being able to notice, Elena changes her outfits at lightning speed. One moment she’s wearing a punky mini dress, just a second later she’s wearing a sparkly evening dress. Even the camera can’t catch her action. A truly impressive and rousing show from both of them.

SKATING NISTOROV

Skating has been back in fashion for a long time. But what Lara Zeferino Micaelo from Spain, Alina Andreeva from Germany, and Eugenio Nistorov from Italy conjure up on stage is truly spectacular. The mix of the risks of extreme sports and the elegance of dance, seasoned with a good pinch of sexiness, is breathtaking. The three give gravity the finger. Even just watching it makes us dizzy.

VENICE CARNIVAL

Nikolai Grushin was seeking the next trampoline talent. He found what he was looking for because he met Vladislav Ekvist, Murad Mutalibov, and Aleksandr Shubin. And so these four also show how to cheat gravity.

THE BOYS TEAM

The BOYS TEAM exceeds the limits of body mobility. With their mix of contortion and robotic dance, they have wowed audiences on Got Talent, British Got Talent, and Asia’s Got Talent. Now they will amaze you in the Roncalli Christmas Circus.

ACERO BROTHERS

The brothers Charly and Wuilder from Colombia bring a touch of Latin vibes to the Roncalli Manege. They started training when they were three years old and are now touring all over the world with their acrobatic act.

ELLI HUBER

The artist, who grew up in Australia, trains swinging trapeze at the Beijing International Arts School in China. She often combines aerial artistry with live singing in her shows. With the new show, Roncalli takes up Ellis’ passion for the visual arts. The pretty acrobat has, among other things, a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with a focus on sculpture.

AUGUSTIN VIGLIONE

The Argentine enchants the Roncalli crowd with his bubble show. What we all tried out as children, Augustin transformed into a performance full of magic and beauty. Almost hypnotizing, small children as well as adults are captivated by it.

ANATOLI

Of course, a very special person cannot be missing from a circus: the clown. This year Roncalli even brings a touch of Hollywood into the ring. Because Anatoli starred in the Disney blockbuster “Dumbo”. It’s hard to believe, but he wanted to be a boxer. But his family emigrated to Israel over 30 years ago and it was there that his career as a clown took off.

DUO FULL HOUSE

This year’s ringmasters at the Roncalli Circus are Gaby Dirt and Henry Camus. Both have been performing together in Verona since they met 34 years ago. In her performance, Swiss thoroughness meets American casualness. Her piano number in particular is more than worth seeing.

XMAS & NEW YEARS EVE AT RONCALLI

A visit to Roncalli is a special experience for all those who have kept the child in their hearts. Even though there isn’t so much for the little ones this time, the show is a true feast for the senses for everyone from six to sixty, and of course beyond. Forgetting everyday life for a few hours and immersing yourself in a world full of carefree joy and magic is what Roncalli has always stood for. The show runs until early January.

And the other circuses are also part of our culture and worth seeing. It becomes more and more absurd when people position themselves in front of tents to demonstrate across the board against animal husbandry in circuses and in doing so scare children who want to see a nice Christmas show.

No question, there are a lot of black sheep and there were certainly times when animals in the circus didn’t have such a good life. But blocking circuses across the board without checking the real conditions, holding banners with pictures of elephants in front of them, even though they only work with ponies, llamas, and a few horses, which they, btw. who give a good life with their hearts and who are part of their family is just stupid. Do-gooders who have never really done anything to improve the world.