Hans Sarrasani

Stosch-Sarrasani, Hans Erdmann Franz, circus manager, * 2.4.1873 Lomnitz (Prov. Posen), 21.9.1934 Sao Paulo (Brazil).

A branch of the Stosch family had been resident in Oberlößnitz since the end of the 18th century. Ferdinand Traugott Stosch (1794-1855) is documented as a "economist and vineyard owner", hunting tenant and member of the local municipal council. His nephew Albert (1835-1900), the father of the circus founder, settled in Oberlößnitz as a private owner around 1895. His son Hans, who embarked on a circus career in 1893 and had worked his way up from stable boy to well-known dressage clown, took up residence in Radebeul, Gartenstr. 30, in the spring of 1901.

In the winter of 1901/02, he set up his own circus company in an outbuilding of the Gartenstr. 54 property, which was conveniently located near the railway, with the support of local companies, above all master wheelwright Paul Thalheim, which had its world premiere as "Circus Sarrasani" on 30 March 1902 in Meissen. The travelling circus with 3,600 seats and electric lighting was regarded as the "most modern circus of the day".

On 22 December 1912, Stosch-Sarrasani, as it had called itself since 1904, opened Europe's largest and most modern standing "circus theatre of the 5,000" at Königin-Carola-Platz in Dresden. The company was constantly modernised and in 1927 finally had two giant tents for 10,000 spectators each, around 800 employees, 250 horses, 100 predatory animals, 22 elephants and a fleet of 175 vehicles. Numerous tours took the circus all over Europe and twice to South America, where Stosch died unexpectedly in 1934.

Until 1912, his main residence was still registered in Radebeul, Gartenstr. 54, and he remained connected to the town throughout his life; among other things, he visited the Karl May Museum with Indians from his circus and organised tributes at the writer's grave.

On the occasion of his 60th birthday, Radebeul's Gartenstraße was given his name, which was cancelled after 1945. A decision to award him honorary citizenship could no longer be realised due to his unexpected death. In 1987, the Kulturbund honoured the circus founder with the special exhibition "Sarrasani - from Radebeul to the world" in the Museum Haus Hoflößnitz (over 20,000 visitors). The façade of the "Sarrasani House", Gartenstr. 54, was painted with Sarrasani motifs by Gert Morzinek in 2003.

(From the Radebeul city encyclopaedia)