The trailers of the Historical Raluy Circus, arranged in a circle in the style of old Western camps, form a protective barrier around the big top, the true heart of the show.
The circus wagons They are authentic mobile homes, with wooden moldings and the appearance of old train cars. Most of them were rescued from Eastern Europe after the fall of the Soviet bloc in the 1990s.
Together, they recreate an atmosphere of bygone times, evoking the classic circus that for decades dazzled entire generations of children and adults.
This article, the result of an interview conducted by the magazine Truck Only William Giribaldi, highlights the consideration of the Raluy Historical Circus as an authentic traveling museum, unique of its kind in Europe.
History on wheels
The origin of this distinctive aesthetic dates back to the early 1972s, when Carlos Raluy decided to transform the family circus, founded in XNUMX, into a traveling museum. His passion for antiques and nostalgia for the classics led him to start a collection that would eventually become the company's hallmark. After acquiring an early antique car, wagons, trucks, and caravans soon followed, becoming part of the circus landscape.
The fall of communism in Eastern Europe opened the door to an unexpected discovery: state-run circuses that were liquidating their traveling stock. Between 1994 and 1999, Carlos Raluy undertook numerous trips to the Czech Republic, Poland, and East Germany, where he acquired unique pieces. Once transported to Catalonia, a team of carpenters and coachbuilders were responsible for restoring and adapting them, bringing them back to life with a new circus purpose.
A fleet with soul
Today, the artists of the Raluy Historical Circus live in refurbished vintage vehicles, surrounded by the same wagons that for decades accompanied nomadic artists on their tours. The caravan includes a Pegaso, several Mercedes, a Magirus, a Scania, and even a 1911 Latil van, currently used as a ticket office. With the exception of a couple of modern vehicles designed for heavy loads, the entire group travels in these classics.
Although they aren't agile on the road, the company has organized an efficient transport system: the convoy, made up of 16 trucks and 19 trailers, travels short distances, about 50 kilometers every two weeks, reaching around 1.500 kilometers per year. This measure reduces wear and tear and facilitates maintenance, allowing this fleet, a moving historical heritage, to remain intact.
The value of nostalgia
In the artistic sphere, the Raluy renews itself each season, incorporating innovative performances. However, aesthetically, it maintains its essence. The company has refused to transform into a contemporary Cirque du Soleil-style show. Nostalgia and authenticity remain its hallmarks.
The collection of classic vehicles and artifacts is endless. Among the treasures awaiting restoration are a Magirus fire engine with a wooden body and a double-decker bus. Also noteworthy are two early 20th-century Gypsy floats with wooden wheels, considered authentic relics of European circus heritage.
For William Giribaldi and his team, each piece holds a story: artists who lived there, stages they toured in post-war Europe, and shared adventures on wheels. It's, in short, a taste of nostalgia, a way to travel back in time while keeping the circus's present alive.
The circus a child dreams of
Carlos Raluy expressed it clearly in an interview years before his death: “When a child thinks of the circus, he doesn't imagine modern trailers and caravans. He dreams of horse-drawn carriages traveling through villages. With the Raluy Historical Circus, I wanted to create that kind of circus, the kind a child dreams of.".
Today, its mission can be considered accomplished. The Raluy Historical Circus is still a living museum that combines the excitement of the show with respect for tradition, keeping alive the essence of the classic circus.
To experience the circus show, buy your tickets now and enjoy the magic of the Raluy Historic Circus.
