Tonito

There are encounters in life that leave a greater mark than others, and—unusually for this platform—I would like to promote a great Artist...

On a cold Friday evening, I went to a circus I had never heard of before: Tetam, in Belgium. A half-full big top, set on the edge of a highway and a railway track. A solid, quality show. But above all, a revelation for me, someone who has loved the circus since childhood: The Clown! Exceptional! Tonito! With his clever dog Elvis, with his trumpet, with his saxophone accompanying the superb act of his wife, Stefania, with his laughter, with... When the show ended, I wanted to thank him, and I found his phone number to send him a congratulatory message and tell him I would be back to see him again on Sunday. A bit of research later, I discovered that this Artist had been awarded a Golden Clown in Monaco (and that I had already seen his parents, also clowns, perform at Jean Richard’s circus in 1982!).

Sunday: a packed big top. The wonderful atmosphere of a circus audience eager to laugh and applaud! Like on Friday, Tonito appeared in the ring without makeup and transformed into a clown before our eyes. The show was an uninterrupted succession of laughter, emotion, and standing ovations. Tonito—having spotted me—did not hesitate to include me in his antics (at my expense but to my greatest delight)! The acts followed one another, all magnificent. And then, Tonito came to remove his makeup in front of us, with the sadness and melancholy of a Clown turning back into a man, just before the grand finale—tears were not far away.

I carry within me this sadness and melancholy, seeing Tonito and Stefania set off once more on the roads of Europe and the world, not knowing when I will see them again. The melancholy of a newly formed but strong friendship with this child of the circus, who could be my son and of whom I am as proud as a father. To you, Tonito, my laughter and applause go with you. Take care of Stefania—you make a magnificent couple. And to those of you who have read this far: go to the Circus! And if one day Tonito performs near you, rush to see him, step into his world, and become once again the children with starry eyes, thanks to the magic of the Clown and the circus! https://www.tonito.de

(Surprised that the exceptional Tonito was performing under a rather modest big top, I later learned from him that he and Stefania had arrived from Germany at the last minute, just half an hour before the show, to step in for an act that had fallen through—helping out in solidarity with the Tetam circus so that the show could go on).