• Circus Roncalli is back at Swarovski Kristallwelten for another enchanting summer

WATTENS – AUGUST 13, 2020 (GPN): The excitement and emotion were palpable amongst visitors to Swarovski Kristallwelten (Swarovski Crystal Worlds) last summer when Circus Roncalli transformed the gardens into a circus arena. And the collaboration continues for this extraordinary year: today Lili Paul-Roncalli, the youngest daughter of circus director Bernhard
Paul, and winner of this year’s Let’s Dance, opened the 2020 season of circus magic. From August 8 to September 6, new artistes and vintage circus trailers will be there to charm and delight visitors.

“Last summer’s fantastically successful collaboration with Circus Roncalli created a sense of excitement that is still vivid in the minds of anyone who was there. This magical mixture of illusion and acrobatics on the sparkling outdoor stage at Swarovski Crystal Worlds is a captivating, unforgettable experience,” says Carla Rumler,

Cultural Director Swarovski and Curator of Swarovski Crystal Worlds.
Circus director Bernhard Paul adds: “Circus and theater have always been a kind of safe haven, a prized and protected space where magic and poetry thrive, even in difficult times. That is exactly what we are aiming to create with this summer’s collaboration too.” Last year, Lili Paul-Roncalli was on the stage herself every day, and this year she is looking forward to seeing it from the visitors’ perspective:

“Performing in this setting for two months was a fantastic experience. In the circus we never get this close to the audience. And it was the complete opposite this spring, when we had to film Let’s Dance with no audience at all. The spacious gardens are the perfect stage to really watch the artistes close up – and yet still be able to keep your distance.”

Stefan Isser, Managing Director of D. Swarovski Tourism Services GmbH, is excited about the plans for this year, in these very special circumstances: “After last year’s huge success we wanted to give our visitors some magical moments this year too. The arrangements we had to make to protect our guests and employees inspired us to come up with some creative solutions, so there are all kinds of exhibits throughout the extensive gardens and wandering artistes performing as they move around.”

Entering through the circus tent right in front of the Giant, visitors step into the magical world of Circus  Roncalli for a day full of poetry, artistry and circus magic.

A real giantess, a magician, and one of Roncalli’s favorite clowns – audiences will be thrilled Originally, he wanted to become a professional boxer, but luckily for us he let fate lead him into a different arena: clown Anatoli Akerman is a delightfully acrobatic storyteller whose enchanting ways capture
the hearts of Roncalli audiences. After spells with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas and Tokyo, he has now become a core member of the Roncalli team. His unique eye for surreal comic situations captivated circus director Bernhard Paul from the very first moment. His dreamlike character with its whimsical
silhouette catches audiences by surprise again and again with his unexpected talents.

A giantess in the garden of the Giant? Visitors to Swarovski Crystal Worlds will hardly believe their eyes – this incredibly tall and yet delightfully gentle being seems to come from another dimension. Miriam van der Neut not only looks enchanting, she also spreads crystalline magic by bestowing sparkling Swarovski crystals on all visitors she meets.

Hot and cold magic is the specialty of Lukas Brandl: as Rotterdam school of circus arts graduate, he is a master of magic, juggling, acrobatics, and drama. Despite his young age, he has already won several awards and has been performing in many different countries since 2008. He baffles the audience
with magic, using real fire, ice, and crystals.

Albert Tröbinger is the first official Guinness World Record holder in his discipline – contact juggling.
This interplay between objects and the human body creates a gravity-defying symbiosis of balance, dynamics, and lightness. Keeping them constantly in contact with his body, Albert Tröbinger makes glass balls and rings seem to float and slide in impossible ways around his body. Objects come to life
in a magical way and the laws of physics seem to be suspended. This most sensuous form of juggling
combines harmony and precision with pure physical mastery of the human body.

The attractions: a vintage car, circus trailers, and a showtime atmosphere
Directly in front of the Giant stands Roncalli’s miniature big top – when visitors step into the little circus
tent, they find themselves inside an artiste’s dressing room, complete with a bust of Zippo the Clown.
Behind the face paint of Roncalli’s most famous clown is Bernhard Paul himself, the legendary creator of Circus Roncalli. The larger-than-life bust was designed as a window display feature and made in the Roncalli workshops: it evokes the clown’s childlike love of performing and makes the perfect backdrop
for a selfie.

You can discover the art of magic close up in the Fleur de Lys bus. This vintage vehicle made in England has been meticulously restored in the Roncalli workshops. Today this maker’s nostalgic cars and buses are still sought-after, rare collectors’ items. Ever since the Middle Ages, there have been
stories about traveling magicians, moving from one town fair to another, showcasing their magical talents. They included conjurers, quack doctors, and street artistes who made the most of people’s longing to be thrilled by things that seemed inexplicable.

Roncalli’s balcony trailers originated in the heyday of French circus in the 20th century, making them over 100 years old. The wooden wagon on display at Swarovski Crystal Worlds, with its row of windows on the roof and elaborate mirrored windows, is truly one-of-a-kind and typical of Roncalli’s architectural style. The balcony trailer has been meticulously restored to its original design, hand-painted and
decorated with gold leaf.

“Hau den Lukas” challenges visitors to show their strength. For 200 years now the “Lukas” striker game has been the big hit at fairground stalls. An old-fashioned test of strength and a great chance to impress the guys and the girls. It is also a great way to let off some steam. These historic fairground attractions have been rescued and restored for the private collection of Roncalli founder Bernhard Paul, so that we can still enjoy the old-time fun of the fair today. Insider tip: it is not just about strength, it is also a matter of technique.

Roncalli’s circus magic at a special anniversary price. The admission price includes all the attractions of Roncalli’s circus magic, as well as unlimited rides on the Carousel. To mark the 25th anniversary of Swarovski Crystal Worlds, visitors will enjoy a 25%
discount off the price of admission tickets and annual cards. This also includes a free audio guide complete with fascinating background info about the Chambers of Wonder, the artists and the garden. This special offer is valid until December 31, 2020.

Roncalli’s circus magic is at Swarovski Crystal Worlds from August 8 to September 6, 2020, daily from 10:00 to 19:00 (last entry 18:00). To ensure our visitors can enjoy themselves safely, appropriate safety and hygiene measures will be in place.  ENDS

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