FUJAIRAH // For the first time in 15 years, the circus has come to town in Fujairah.
Italy’s Raoul Circus kicked off two weeks of performances on Saturday and thrilled crowds with performing tigers, acrobatics and high-wire acts.
Raoul Hanna, manager of the circus, said that their show is a new experience for Fujairah residents and visitors.
Highlights included tigers jumping on benches, rolling over like dogs and responding to commands from their handler — who fed the animals pieces of meat from a stick held in his mouth.
A blindfolded performer took to the high-wire and another carried four performers at once.
“We started 15 years ago in Italy, the land of circus, with the aim of reaching people that have never been to the circus before and had missed the opportunity to attend one.
“We went to places that had never hosted a circus before — places in Oman, Egypt and Africa, and we did a research and found that the last circus visited Fujairah was in the year 2000, which is 15 years ago, so we made some calls and connections and arranged for our first visit to this peaceful emirate,” said Mr Hanna, 37.
Fifteen performers from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Morocco and Italy put on 14 different performances in each show.
Rossi Giovanni a 70-year-old Italian clown hoped that he could draw a smile on each and every face in the crowd.
“I laugh and cry during the show, imitating real life’s emotions, but in a funny way.
“The circus is my life and my job is to entertain and spread joy and happiness which is considered one of the main essentials in life,” said Mr Giovanni.
Anthony Niemen, who performs as a juggler, clown, fire-eater and animal trainer, said that his passion started when he was just three-years-old, following in the footsteps of his family into the circus world.
“I enjoy everything I do. The best part is playing with the tigers — I raised them since they were small cubs. They mean the world to me and they never have attacked or thought of hurting me.
“I also enjoy my role as a clown, being able to put a smile on people’s faces is something not everybody is skilled with and it brings joy to the heart.
“I encourage everyone to come and attend our show, the shopping mall will stay forever, but our show won’t,” said Mr Niemen, 27.
He said that the people in Fujairah are very friendly and cheerful — the kind of audience that they love to perform to.
Besides the juggling, the ‘rola bola’, and quick clothes change techniques, visitors at the circus say the best part is seeing the animals up close.
A 10-year-old Emirati said that it was the first time he went to a circus show and the best part was seeing wild animals.
“I enjoyed all the performances, but the best show was the tigers and snakes, I wasn’t afraid and I touched the snake. My mother ran away but I was brave enough to stay close and watch the show.
“I used to see these things on TV and YouTube, but it is really awesome when you get to watch it live and everything is real in front of your eyes,” said Abdulaziz Al Kindi.
Egyptian Mohammad Abdulrahman brought his wife and his three-year-old daughter to the show.
“Everything is well organised and safe, this is our first time and we liked it a lot — the colourful atmosphere and great performers.
“We enjoyed watching the wheel of death, hula hoop, tightrope walking and of course the tiger show,” said Mr Abdulrahman, 39.
The show will run twice a day at Fujairah Corniche until May 2, and the big-top can hold 1,200 spectators.
rhaza@thenational.ae