The Circus Feraro is in Eittingermoos and is fighting for survival.
Without income in the corona crisis, the family is now hoping for donations.
Eittingermoos
- To finally be able to say “Manege open” again, to inspire the audience with acrobatic skills, and to receive thunderous applause as a reward: How much would Hermann Schmidt, head of Circus Feraro, wish that.
When that will be the case again is in the stars.
The family business is currently running out of steam.
Because without income and government funding, survival is difficult.
The feed for the animals is becoming scarce.
And the food supply of the family of 21 is also running out.
Not to mention money.
“I don't know how things will go on at the moment.
It has to work somehow.
Giving up is not an option, ”says the circus director about the current situation.
Therefore he asks for support on behalf of his family.
The Eittingen elementary school students have already prepared a pre-Christmas present for the circus.
They collected non-perishable groceries at home and brought them to school before the lockdown.
Schmidt recently picked her up - corona-compliant of course.
“That helps us a bit now.
I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart ”, said the 64-year-old.
"The Eittinger have always supported us."
For six years now, the artists have also been showing their skills at school with a small demonstration.
This was introduced under the direction of the then headmaster Paul Hilger.
And so the children saw a snake dance, chair acrobatics, funny clown performances and brave actions with the nail board.
Circus instead of drums was then on the schedule for an hour - great fun for everyone.
This special appearance was often the starting signal for the Feraro tour, which usually begins in mid-March.
Then the circus people will be out and about in the Bavarian region until mid-November.
"This year it was exactly two months and two weeks," said Schmidt.
They moved back to their winter quarters at an early stage, which is located on the Freising district border in Eittingermoos / Hirschau.
"This year we actually wanted to offer a Christmas circus in Erding," says Schmidt sadly.
The Landkreis Erding is the lessor of the winter quarters.
“We are very grateful to District Administrator Martin Bayerstorfer and Matthias Huber from the property office.
Because we were able to move into our quarters again quickly and easily, ”says Schmidt.
At least that's not how the family sits on the street.
Now it's time to maintain the car or to repair and check the equipment.
And the animals also have to be looked after.
The Schmidts have horses, llamas, ducks, pigeons, goats and snakes.
"The subject of animal welfare has always been important to us," Schmidt clarifies: "We'd rather give something to our animals than ourselves," says the ten-time father, who is the sixth generation to run the circus.
If you want to help Circus Feraro, you can contact Hermann Schmidt on Tel. (01 60) 6 50 01 75.
The animals mainly need hay, carrots and oats.
“We'll pick it up ourselves,” says the ringmaster.
The Schmidts need pellets for heating.
The donation account runs on Robert Schmidt, IBAN DE09 1001 0010 0239 1751 33.
Groceries of all kinds as well as daily hygiene articles are also needed for the extended family.
These can also be handed in to Paul Hilger in Langengeisling, Alte Römerstraße 83.
Simply place it contactlessly on the beer table set at the roofed entrance to the house.
In addition to Hilger, the former mayor of Eittingen, Georg Wiester, also supports the campaign and tries to acquire help.
“I have known Circus Feraro for many years from the school performances.
And one of the family's children also went to school in Eitting, ”said the 70-year-old.
"The family circus is in a very dire situation and urgently needs the support of the population," he assures.
Schmidt, who originally comes from the Mindelheim district, is happy about the Eittinger backing.
“We're almost at home here,” he says.
“As a thank you, we will hold a benefit event for all Erdinger and Freisinger who supported us,” he promises.
Daniela Oldach