Stuttgart World Christmas Circus - | Animal-free circus: Animal trainer suffers, activist delighted - | What happens to the horses?
stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.weltweihnachtscircus-stuttgart-tierfreier-zirkus-dompteurin-leidet-aktivist-erfreut-wo-bleiben-die-pferde.03de8208-caf3-46ef-a110-e94a3a250aaf.html
Photo: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de · view article
Stuttgart Christmas Circus Ends Animal ActsStarting in 2026, Stuttgart’s Christmas Circus will feature only animal-free performances, impacting artists and delighting activists.
Key FactsJan 9, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
- The Stuttgart Christmas Circus has chosen to exclusively present shows without animals from now on.
- Animal trainer Angelina Richter struggles with criticism as her horse acts are discontinued.
- Junior manager Dalien Cohen assures that performers with animals still have opportunities in other European circuses.
- Animal activist Malte Zierden praises the move as a major win for animal rights despite ongoing legal disputes.
You have made something that was impossible possible.— Malte Zierden, influencer and animal rights activist celebrating the decision of the World Christmas Circus.
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city on the Neckar river and capital of the federal state Baden-Württemberg, Germany
person working with promoting or impeding, or causing social, political, economic, or environmental change
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Horse era ends in Stuttgart - | "You're never too old to learn" - | no more animals in the World Christmas Circus
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Key FactsStuttgart’s Christmas Circus Ends Animal Acts
Jan 9, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
- The Stuttgart Christmas Circus has decided to remove all animal performances to prioritize animal welfare and update its show format.
- Numerous protests and respectful feedback from animal advocates and horse enthusiasts influenced this significant policy shift.
- Official inspections confirmed humane animal treatment, but societal demands pushed for a modern circus free of animals.
- Founder Henk van der Meijden asserts the circus will maintain success and innovate without relying on animal acts.
I confirm that one is never too old to learn, and that in this time different norms and visions apply.— Henk van der Meijden, circus founder, speaks about the decision to no longer use animals in the World Christmas Circus.
Accident at the World Christmas Circus in Stuttgart - | Pair of performers fell: An accident occurred during the afternoon performance at the Stuttgart World ...
swr.de/swraktuell/baden-wuerttemberg/stuttgart/unfall-weltweihnachtszirkus-artisten-gestuerzt-100.html
Key FactsSevere Fall at Stuttgart Christmas Circus
Jan 5, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
- During a performance at Cannstatter Wasen, a 49-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman fell from roughly ten meters.
- The seriously injured artists belong to the Ukrainian aerial duo called ‘Flight of Passion.’
- The show was immediately halted and attendees were asked to temporarily leave the performance area.
- Around 20 minutes later, the event resumed while police began investigating the cause of the accident.
World Christmas Circus in Stuttgart - | No more animals? - | Circus legend wants to listen to the will of the public
stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.weltweihnachtscircus-in-stuttgart-keine-tiere-mehr-zirkuslegende-will-auf-den-willen-des-publikums-hoeren.1d7596ac-fe71-4791-97c8-b901688a4941.html
Key FactsFuture of Animals at Stuttgart's Christmas Circus
Dec 30, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
- Circus founder Henk van der Meijden is willing to remove animals if the Stuttgart audience demands it.
- Local veterinary authorities confirmed proper horse care and mandated minor adjustments to enhance animal welfare.
- Peta alleges harmful training practices and stress signs in horses, but official inspections found these claims unfounded.
- Animal rights activists call for animal-free performances, while organizers highlight the popularity of horse acts and ongoing oversight.
If the Stuttgart audience does not want to see animals in the program anymore, we will forgo that in the future.— Henk van der Meijden, circus founder, discussing the future of animals in the Christmas circus.
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