Circus Roncalli's Bernhard Paul: Collecting circus history
Circus director Bernhard Paul fulfilled his dream of starting a circus 40 years ago: the famous German Circus Roncalli. Now he is planning a circus museum.
The world of Circus Roncalli
Light and color, nostalgia and exoticism, classic clowns and modern artists all make up the famous German Circus Roncalli. The circus will be traveling through Germany and Austria on its 40th anniversary tour. While celebrating the history of his circus, director Bernhard Paul is planning a new circus museum.
Circus theater Bingo
The Kiev theater group Bingo provides a modern circus performance. Rather than individual acts, the graduates of the prestigious Ukrainian Circus School have created a fast-paced choreography adapted to the rhythm of the 21st century.
Paolo Carillon's poetic universe
Offering a refreshingly slower-paced contrast, the Italian clown Paolo Casanova provides a Victorian-era inspired act. The Fellini fan has designed mechanical devices that fascinate the audience. His bubbles are a tribute to the legendary Clown Pic, who became famous in the 80s by floating on a soap bubble.
Bernhard Paul as Zippo
Equally legendary was the clown trio of Zippo (center), Francescso and Angelo. Ringmaster Bernhard Paul still occasionally takes the stage. His favorite acts of the show "Journey to the Rainbow" were painted onto the ceiling of his mansion.
The Queen of Lippiza
The Queen of Lippiza was also among the most successful acts of the Roncalli show "Journey to the Rainbow." While Bernhard Paul was trying to recruit an attractive horse rider, he found a 70-year-old riding instructor instead, who became known as the Queen of Lippiza for his circus. From the front, she looked like a Victorian queen, from the back, she was rather a fat lady with horse legs.
Clown Grock, the inspiration
Not only the ceiling paintings, but also Bernhard Paul's entire residence is a tribute to circus history. A great fan of the famous Swiss clown Grock, he owns Grock's original violin - and a bust and many porcelain figurines portraying him. Paul plans to exhibit many of these in his future museum.
Famous clowns in porcelain
Fascinated by clowns as a child, Bernhard Paul started dreaming of his own circus. His collection includes many clown masks, dolls and busts.
A collector with a passion
A passionate collector, Bernhard Paul is believed to own Europe's largest collection of items from the circus and music hall world. The circus grounds warehouses are just as full as his home. This is where he wants to build his own circus museum.
Old toys to remember the past
Bernhard Paul not only collects circus memorabilia, but also different toys from the beginning of the 20th century. "I have to keep all this, otherwise no one will remember that it ever existed," the circus director explains. He still keeps buying items to add to his collection.
Old stores and a butcher's counter
The warehouses of Circus Roncalli even hold items of former East German shops - from the filled shelves of grocery stores to a complete marble butcher's counter.
Dolls: just a small selection
To properly display the items' antique charm, everything will need to be cleaned and properly displayed. At present, everything is somehow organized in different categories: the dolls, the dishes, the metal cans, the lamps, and so much more. Despite the overwhelming number of items, Bernhard Paul hopes to open his museum in two years.
The journey to the rainbow continues
The whole family is involved in Circus Roncalli: Bernhard Paul's wife, horse trainer Eliana Paul Laribe - and his three children, Vivi (pictured left on the poster), Lili and Adrian. The circus is their home. They couldn't imagine living without it. They will definitely be there to continue the journey to the rainbow in the coming years.