Circus fans in the United States often tend to focus on American circuses of our youth rather than the impact of Circuses internationally. In the immediate years following World War II, European circuses became a major form of entertainment on a continent still reeling from the destruction of the war.
Denmark’s Circus Beneweiss was one of those that grew exponentially under the direction of Eli Benneweiss.
The circus began in 1887 and until it closed in 2015 it was the longest running, CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING circus that was owned by the SAME FAMILY not only in Europe, but I believe anywhere in the world. (Though if someone else has better knowledge I hope they will challenge my theory…)
This photograph was taken on the lot of Circus Beneweiss in 1950 – when the children of Europe were finally beginning to enjoy wild animals and clowns once again
A footnote: at the end of the 2015 season Circus Beneweiss closed and announced it was reorganizing. Although there was some indication it might reopen in 2017 it has not and the Winter Quarters was put up for sale. -Chris Berry
(Photo from Ole Simonsen Collection)