Germany's Roncalli circus abandons live animals, wows audiences with holograms

The enchantment of the circus has a new, compassionate face as Germany's renowned Roncalli Circus wows audiences with holographic elephants, lions, and other exotic creatures, all while championing animal welfare. In a groundbreaking move, the circus has ushered in a new era of entertainment, leaving behind the use of live animals.

Under the big top, where the aroma of sawdust and popcorn swirls and the atmosphere brims with anticipation, a transformation is taking place. Clowns, acrobats, and magicians perform their acts with precision, and the audience finds their seats in a setting that's unmistakably circus-like.

Yet, there's one significant change - the live animals that once graced the ring are now vivid holograms.

Concerns for the welfare of animals led Germany's Roncalli Circus to cease using live lions and elephants in its shows as early as 1991. In 2018, they took a bolder step by entirely eliminating live animals from their program.

Circus director Patrick Philadelphia, 49, shared his perspective to media on the shift, stating, "It is no longer appropriate for Roncalli to show real animals in the ring."

Challenges faced by traditional circuses

The decision to transition to holographic performers was partly driven by the evolving dynamics of circus life. Traditional circuses have encountered limitations, especially regarding space for animal enclosures. Patrick Philadelphia explained, "If you're setting up in the middle of a marketplace in the center of town, there is no space for outdoor enclosures for animal runs."

Moreover, the nomadic nature of circus life posed challenges for animals like horses, which had to be transported from one town to another. Philadelphia noted, "This no longer made sense for an animal-protecting circus."

As Roncalli Circus sought innovative ways to captivate and educate children about animals, inspiration struck from an unexpected source. A performance featuring Justin Timberlake collaborating with a holographic representation of the late Prince planted the seed of an idea - why not use 3-D imagery for animals?

"If you can project someone who's no longer living onto a holographic screen, why can't you do it with an animal, a horse, an elephant? So that's where the idea came from," Philadelphia explained.