It took six hours to cover the distance between Valencia and Alicante as a procession of more than thirty vintage wagons moved along the way. The family’s caravan drew its next chapter in the San Blas district of Alicante, where a tent was pitched and will stay in place until March 10.
The sisters Louisa and Kerry Raluy, the fourth generation to steer the family enterprise, helm this intimate circus with a charming retro atmosphere. The show transports audiences back to the era of the 1920s, while delivering a modern, high-energy experience.
Are these only women at the helm of the troupe? “At least in Spain, I am proud to belong to a family,” Louisa says. The circus, rooted in the early decades of the last century, carries a history spanning more than a century. It blends time-honored traditions with bold, contemporary acts that are witty and current. The program here is presented with a faith in art, delivering an extravagant and adventurous spectacle that fuses classic circus flair with innovative numbers. It is described as a must-see for both adults and children (Raluy Heritage Circus).
The surrounding caravans and the tent, which rests on wooden supports, are all authentic and preserved from different corners of the globe. They stand as one of the greatest assets of today’s circus museum and require ongoing preservation and restoration, which means some caravans stay off tour. One notable survivor is the 1927 cafeteria, preserved and open for visitors to explore (Raluy Heritage Circus).
Awarded the National Circus Award from the Ministry of Culture, and recognized with top honors such as the Maximum Award and the City of Barcelona Award, the Raluy Heritage Circus earned the Big Top Label last November. This certification places it among Europe’s best circuses and marks it as one of only thirteen on the continent, supported by the European Circus Association and the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque with backing from the European Parliament (Raluy Heritage Circus).
Emily Louisa, the daughter who is 28 and part of the fifth generation, notes, “You see acts here that aren’t seen in other circuses, like the wheel of death.” She hints at surprises that are kept under wraps for now (Raluy Heritage Circus).
23 artists from all over the world
The Raluy Legacy troupe comprises about fifty people, with twenty-three professionals who are artists hailing from diverse corners of the globe. “We’ve always kept a circus of this size,” explains the young leader, “and this format allows closer audience interaction.” She adds, “We are fortunate to pursue what we love in a life that satisfies us. I travel often, meeting people along the way.”
The touring circus, the oldest in its circuit, makes a brief appearance for June and has already circled the globe twice in its compact, road-worthy fleet, traveling over land, sea, and air. On the most recent tour, the company visited over fifty cities and welcomed about 300,000 spectators (Raluy Heritage Circus).
Programs and tickets
Set up in Alicante, the tent offers seating for about 600 guests. The two-hour show runs from Thursday to Sunday, with six performances each week: Thursday and Friday at 18:30, Saturday at 17:30 and 19:30, and Sunday with a morning session at 12:00 and an evening session at 19:30.
Ticket prices range from 10 to 30 euros, kept affordable so no one misses the magic (Raluy Heritage Circus).