Sarrasani circus thrives Dresden again: a festival of the senses!

Sarrasani circus thrives Dresden again: a festival of the senses!

Straßburger Platz, 01099 Dresden, Deutschland - The Sarrasani circus has opened its goals again in Dresden and has thus conquered the hearts of the city dwellers in the storm. After returning to Strasburger Platz, the Dresdner are happy about the extraordinary spectacle, which has conquered the stages since June 1, 1990. This first season after the end of the war, people flocked to enjoy the colorful variety of the show "Sarrasis Wunderwelt", which comes up with 82 artists and 38 technicians. The wildlife should not be missing either: a total of 116 animals, including a fascinating trainee vulture, impress the audience.

The circus material was impressively transported from Kiel to Dresden by train, while performers and animals reached the new round tent across the street. However, there was an unsightly incident during the structure - a fire, caused by two children, caused damage of around 10,000 marks. Despite these challenges, the audience was enthusiastic at the opening of the show "Arche Noah - Arche Nova". Principle Fritz Mey-Sarrasani was visibly emotionally touched by the return of the Cirque.

a long story with many setbacks

The history of the Sarrasani circus goes back to 1902 when Giovanni Sarrasani founded the company in Meißen. With its modern circus building, which was opened at Carolaplatz in 1912, he set standards and created a place that offered an impressive backdrop with 3860 places. But as is so often the case in life, there were setbacks: air strikes destroyed the Sarrasani theater in 1945 and led to a dramatic end of the legendary era.

Trude Stosch-Sarrasani, the then director, fled to Argentina with part of the circus staff. Nevertheless, there were always efforts to revive the circus in the following decades. The new foundation in 1956 by Fritz Mey marked a new beginning, and from the 1980s his daughter Ingrid also worked in the management. With André Sarrasani, who took over the reins in 2000, the circus was converted into a modern entertainment company.

A look into the future

In recent years, the circus has taken up speed again, with 16,500 enthusiastic visitors welcomed in 47 performances in the Trocadero tent in Dresden in 2024. Despite economic challenges, such as the bankruptcy of 2016, Sarrasani remains an essential part of the Dresden cultural scene. The Sarrasani family is not only rooted in the city, but also closely linked to its history, which is captured in the collection and preservation of documents on the history of circus art.

The Circus archive , which has been collecting documents and materials for circuit management for over 60 years, is an important partner in this endeavor to preserve the fascination of circus art. The story of Sarrasani, which is now considered the first fixed circus building in Europe, continues to live not only in the memories of the Dresdeners, but also through the diverse programs and events that keep the tradition of circus art alive.