Péter Fekete: Circus performers are the greatest animal rights activists

In recent years, circuses have received a lot of criticism because of animal acts. As ministerial commissioner responsible for the renewal of circus arts and former director of Fővárosi Nagycirkusz, what do you think about the government’s public survey about this issue?

It’s definitely worth asking people about this, because this question also conveys the message that whipping animals is no longer the norm. Circuses are no longer about taming animals; the circus ring is a place where we can show the rising generations how animals and humans can live together in harmony, and how mutual respect and unconditional trust in each other can be established.

But still, the two possible answers to the question about animal acts do not reflect exactly that; one answer specifically mentions animal torture and animals being beaten on stage, while the other one suggests that there is no need to ban animal acts as for the animals this kind of life is the norm. 

Undoubtedly, the question and the answers could have been worded differently. On the one hand, abuse has not been acceptable for decades; on the other hand, for the animals it is much more than simply getting used to living in a circus. Anyone who has a dog, a cat or a horse, and is a responsible owner who takes good care of the animal can see how the animal can be motivated to cooperate and work. For the animal, it is not a compulsion but almost a need to be dealt with and to be trained. The animal wants to show what it has learned, gives high fives, sits or lies down. It is no different in the circus; the animals are used to being dealt with and having tasks to do, just like guard dogs or guide dogs are.

Can the fact that the question of banning animal acts in circuses has been included in the survey mean that there are such intentions within the government? 

The aim of this question is simply for the government to get to know the opinion of the people on this issue and to make a responsible decision by understanding the different views. Suggestions or changes can only be made after this; it wouldn’t make sense for me now to jump to conclusions. 

However, it is important to see that the traditional circus, with the three branches of acrobatics, humour and animal acts, has turned into an ever-changing and self-renewing form of art, and this renewal is manifest in animal acts as well. 

It would be no surprise if stricter rules were introduced, as animal acts have been restricted or even banned in many countries, largely under pressure from radical animal rights activists. 

Animal rights activists have a very important role to play. The concept of responsible animal ownership has become widely known because of their activities, but there are also those activists among them who do more harm than good. When, for example, they post circus videos on the internet from many years ago and from other countries, and these videos show animals being treated in an appalling way indeed, they don’t realize how damaging it is for circus performers, for whom the animal is not a work tool but a family member. 

It is no exaggeration to say that circus artists who have been working with animals for many generations are the greatest animal rights activists and they do much more for animals than online commenters. In order to ensure that all our specialists are familiar with the most up-to-date concepts, we provide an opportunity for all circus workers dealing with animals in Hungary to participate in the courses of the Animal Welfare Centre of the University of Veterinary Medicine.

What happens to wild animals that get old or get sick and can no longer act in the ring? 

Circus artists take care of animals that do not appear on stage any more as if they were members of the family. People don’t just love their Grandma until she retires, circus artists experience caring for an elderly animal in a similar way. 

The question in the survey specifically refers to the use of wild animals in circuses. What legislation is applicable for this today? 

In Hungary, wild animals are only allowed to appear in circus acts under stricter conditions than the relevant international legislation. According to a government decree, it has been forbidden to bring new elephants, rhinoceros or primates onto Hungarian stages since 28 September 2007, and it has been prohibited to buy, train or show any wild-caught specimens of endangered species listed in Appendix I of the Washington Convention since 1 January 2010.

In other words, if the last Asian lions, tigers or elephants die, they will completely disappear from the Hungarian circuses. The same would apply to bears and monkeys, but they have not appeared in Hungarian circuses for a while, so it is mostly big cats and pets that perform today.

As far as I know, Fővárosi Nagycirkusz is the only circus that has a permanent building. Apart from that, how many so-called travelling circuses operate in Hungary? 

There are nearly 20 travelling circuses, but new private circuses open and close every year. Due to our EU membership, circuses are free to come to Hungary from the EU, but there is no available data of their number. 

For travelling circuses the only source of revenue is entrance fees. How can they manage now that they have not been able to work for months due to the pandemic?

They can hardly get by as they don’t have any income, but they still have to look after their animals. Therefore, Fővárosi Nagycirkusz, which is subsidized by the state, provides financial resources and animal food to all the travelling circuses that are facing major difficulties. We have already spent 50 million forints and we are planning to allocate another 30 million for this in the spring. Our online show, Dynasties, presented on February 13, features more than 70 circus performers who have been deprived not only of spectators but also of their livelihoods by the pandemic. 

Europe's circuses are closed, and Hungary is the only country that provides circus artists with opportunities to practise and perform in this way - including those who do animal acts with parrots, dogs and horses, and who look after their animals in an exemplary manner. It is no coincidence that Hungary is considered to be Europe's leading circus arts centre.