Punctually on 27^th May 1982 I was at Schaffhausen at the entry of the Swiss National Circus Knie. I bought a ticket. Then I waited at the restauration. The police had guided me by mobile phone to a parking place for my car. The music band of the town was playing to welcome the circus. I was surprised about the beautiful tent and decorations of the circus, already the entry tent was a real masterpiece of Art.

Passing Tübingen, I had seen various zebra-painted circus cars of Barum. Somebody called me. Now at Schaffhausen I saw a lot of well - known faces. Gerd Siemoneit among his artists made a visit to Knie on a day without show. Charly Knie greeted me friendly and presented me to his uncles and cousins. A very nice and beautiful woman in a dress with flowers came to me for greeting and kisses, too. Now I recognized her! She was the great rider’s artist Mignon Bratuscin of the famous Russian Cosack Riders Group Bratuscin. Later, at home, I was told that she had phoned for knowing, if I would stay at Schaffhausen that day and that she would extra come to Schaffhausen for seeing me.

When the show began, I was sitting on my place in great suspense.

Darkness, silence. Some music sound. The sound of a xylophone. The sound grew louder and there was a little bit more light. In the arena was the shadow of a pantomiming clown.The sound grew louder again and there was again a little bit more light. Now the clown was more visible. From the darkness above came down a white-clothed fairy sitting in a swing. The clown came and took her in his arms. Now shadows of various people came, filling the half-dark arena. A little dog jumped, a man ate fire, the lion man came with his big whip. Pomm! The clown made some jokes. All in silence and darkness, only the low sound of the Xylophone could be heard.

But suddenly:

Great light, loud trumpets and drums, in the middle of the arena a giant Hercules in golden metal.

A big voice filled the circus.

With the sound of the full orchestra Samsung showed all his incredible power – he broke iron chains, distorted big iron sticks, drove a big nail through a wooden plate just with his hand. He called 12 men from the audience and threw them all together to the ground.

This was the start of an unforgettable beautiful show of great art and magic. I was fascinated. I began to draw. I followed the Circus to Frauenfeld, looking for a camping place to sleep. I was on tour for two months, ending at Basel, where the Circus stayed for 3 weeks, never missing any show, any morning rehearsals. I never missed the shows before the opening: a band of music and some acrobats, and some clowns amusing the waiting people.

Finally, at Basel, I could paint what I had dreamed. Now "I was the king!" for two evenings, but then I felt exhausted. I took my car and went home to relax and sleep.

Arriving at home, no relax and no sleeping. At home there was a "war" between the mayor and the Circus Alberti-Montana.

1983 I went to the Circus Knie at Luzern. On posters there was the word „Circus-Magic" above the portrait of PIC , the famous clown from Circus Roncalli.

After a long time although the great Fredy Knie sen. Wasin the arena again. With his famous 12 lippizzani –horses.

PIC head a tremendous success and great applauses.

PIC was riding a rhinoceros which was decorated with bird’s wings. Pic asked that immense animal: "Please, go on and fly!" and we all were waiting, believing that the animal must lift to heaven in the next moment. We all were prisoners of this magic voice.

PIC started an orchestra of little bells together with the people. PIC showed his famous number with soap balls, so big, that he entered himself in a soap ball.

I had the pleasure to talk and eat with him, we got friends, I wanted to paint a portrait of him, sitting at the entry of his beautifully painted old circus car which he had brought from the German Circus Roncalli, but it had never been possible, because there were always lot of reporters around him who wanted interviews.

1984 I went for painting to Knie at Basel. In this season, the stars in the arena were the duo of clowns Illi & Olli, and also the incredible acrobats of China.

1986 I went to Basel. But now the Circus didn’t please me any more. Fredy Knie sen. had left the direction and the circus had lost its image and charm. The new direction now prohibited me my old painting place.

So I went to he camping place at Kaiseraugst and packed my things. I returned to Germany to meet the Circus Montana at Leutkirch and Kempten.

I found a very history foto , somebody me has given as present, of about 1901: The family of F. Knie, who than has foundet the Crus national of Svitzerland, that formerly dr. med. F.Knie, who fall in love to the beautiful circus artist girl, and he changed profession to become circusartist althouhg himselves: