event: Géraldine Knie, you are responsible for the anniversary program. What can we look forward to this year?
Géraldine Knie: It will be a mixture of highlights, a "best of", and we will also be presenting completely new attractions.
And of course two of Switzerland's best-known comedy stars, Giacobbo/Müller!
Géraldine: Viktor and Mike are the ideal combination. The two of them always make me laugh in my private life too. With them, you know it's guaranteed to work. They are so professional that they can fully adapt to the circus. That's brilliant!
You grew up in the circus - what has changed in the Knie program since you were a child? Has it gotten better and better?
Géraldine: You can't really say that. It's always been great. You just move with the times - especially when it comes to technology - we're at the cutting edge.
Is it a particular challenge to design the program?
Géraldine: It's actually not that easy. Tastes are different, our audience is between 2 and 100 years old. Our mix has to offer something for everyone. The best thing is when at the end they say: "This year was even better than the year before!"
How do you attract children and young people? Is there a trick?
Géraldine: I don't exclude any age group. I'm guided by what my own children like. In the age of digitalization - iPads and so on - it's becoming increasingly difficult to make children laugh, everything has to happen very quickly.
Do clowns appear instead of Giacobbo/Müller in the afternoon performances?
Géraldine: Yes, they will offer something specifically aimed at a younger audience - but that doesn't mean that the afternoons will only be interesting for children.
What is it like to grow up in the circus as a child?
Géraldine: Circus life is wonderful for children - varied and exciting at the same time.
Franco jun.: Our children grow up multilingual. They get to know different cultures and religions - and are therefore much more open-minded.
What are you particularly looking forward to in the anniversary year?
Franco jun.: Like every year, we are looking forward to coming out of our "hibernation" and
and that we can go on tour again - we love being on the road.
What is different today than in the past?
Franco jun.: A lot. Traveling has become easier. We have better vehicles. Better equipment for setting up and dismantling.
Doris Knie: People have become more mobile. We used to perform in almost
We used to perform in almost 70 cities - now there are 33. In the past, you had to drive to people's doorsteps.
And the comfort for the audience has probably also improved?
Doris: Yes, not only the sound and lighting, but also the seating comfort - the audience used to sit
used to sit on wooden benches, now we have individual seats. We also got a new tent for the anniversary.
Has it also become more comfortable behind the scenes?
Franco Jr: Definitely. Our grandparents didn't have wagons as big as ours today and had to do without running water. Our great-grandparents even played in the open air. The way we travel today is a luxury.
"We are delighted that three generations of our family will be in the Manage this year."
Gèraldine Knie
What will Circus Knie look like in 25 years' time?
Franco Jr: We don't know what the future holds, but we hope that the tradition and the bond we have with the audience can continue. In recent years, we have integrated a new loudspeaker system and a new lighting system. We also have very modern acts in the show - last year, for example, with autonomously controlled drones.
Doris: We have to keep up the tradition - after all, that's what the circus lives on.
Franco Jr: I think the circus will always be an experience in the future.
experience. That you can feel, smell and sense. Emotions that get under your skin. I think that will still be the case in 25 years' time.
Could the need for circus entertainment even grow in an increasingly virtual world?
Franco jun.: Yes, people say that you can really switch off in the circus. You also have to switch off your cell phone at the circus - and then really enjoy the show and let yourself be enchanted by it. That's the feedback we get, which makes us very happy.
What is the relationship like with the sixth generation?
Doris: We take on a little more each year. Our fathers, Franco and Fredy Jr, are both still here. We are making more and more of our own decisions, but everything is actually discussed with the family. We are very happy and grateful to be able to draw on the experience of our fathers.
