Martin Baltscheit

Laika, the singing dog with the accordion, invites all the animals of the city to the winter circus on Christmas Eve. Anna was told about the winter circus by her animal-loving aunt Ruth, but her amazement grows when she is suddenly able to understand the language of animals shortly before Christmas. She is grateful to get away from her family’s Christmas preparations, the boring cookie baking, the childish rituals and especially the question about Santa. Even though she is only nine years old, Anna knows that this is only humbug and commerce. On Christmas Eve, Anna discovers two tickets for the winter circus on her pillow and, when she tries to sneak out, Aunt Ruth suddenly appears in her room and wants to accompany her. Together with hundreds of animals they trudge through the snow, in the guise of a mouse and a cat. The winter circus opens its doors.

The mysterious winter circus, ominous Aunt Ruth, the disguised Santa, a hedgehog searching for the meaning of life, flippant dad, Christmassy cheerful mom and insecure Anna make for a touching answer to the question of whether Santa, whether the unexplainable really exists.

“no matter what you believe/ and no matter who likes it/
if it serves life/ it fits into this world”

Der Winterzirkus is a wonderful background for festive fireworks of magic, sugary cookies and circus charms. The radio play was broadcast by Radio Berlin Brandenburg in 2003.