The Bouglione Circus has pitched its big top in Luxembourg City’s Glacis parking lot, where it will perform its entirely animal-free production from 30 March through 21 April. In an interview with our colleagues from RTL Infos, seventh-generation director Nicolas Bouglione revealed how this shift required him to fundamentally “reinvent” the family’s century-old tradition.
The two-hour show, performed twice daily, reflects a growing European trend: Belgium banned wild animals in circuses in 2014, while France will implement similar restrictions by 2028.
“I was originally a trainer of wild animals and elephants. I had to completely reinvent my circus”, Bouglione explained. “We’re now a traditional circus without animals. So, I don’t really have any constraints, except that I need to hire more performers since we no longer have ‘in-house’ acts”, he noted.
The production blends acrobatics, illusion acts, and juggling with comedy sketches by clowns Rony and Nico. A historic touch: the ringmaster role is held by a woman for the first time, Celia Berthier-Caroli (Bouglione’s cousin). The family-friendly show features international talent like Cuban acrobat Hector Yzquierdo and Italian balancing duo Veronika and Yuri.
“Every year I select the best of the moment, talents [who have] travelled the world in the greatest circuses and festivals”, Bouglione emphasised.
“This year brings special pride”, he stressed, “My niece Selena Bouglione Monteiro represents the eighth generation joining the show. Seeing our dynasty continue with this passion is an immense honour.”
While acknowledging stiff competition in Luxembourg’s entertainment sector, Bouglione cites two key challenges for this year’s season: unseasonably good weather drawing people outdoors, and inflationary pressures on family budgets. “The problem this year is that we have exceptional weather… which is not necessarily good for us because our show takes place indoors, under a big top, and people prefer to enjoy the good weather”, he admitted. “Life has become very, even too expensive, for many families. That’s why we offer very low prices”, he noted.
Bouglione launched this production in 2022 after training under his father Alexandre. He is the seventh generation of this illustrious circus family, well known throughout the world, particularly in France. In the 1990s, some members of the Bouglione family went to live in Belgium. “My heart is Belgian and, what’s more, our eighth generation was entirely born there,” he stressed.
The show runs through 21 April at Glacis in Luxembourg City. The circus offers standard tickets at €15 for children and €20 for adults in box seats, with premium Carré d’Or seating available for €20 (children) and €25 (adults). Family Day features reduced rates of €7 for children and €12 for adults in the stands.
