In 1990, the circus Embell Riva, owned by the Bellucci brothers, historic Italian circus performers, arrived in Palermo.

From the very moment I crossed the threshold of the Circus, an energy and a palpable magic filled the air. With complete freedom of movement and the great fortune of being an invisible privileged spectator, I ventured among the colorful tents, dusty corridors, and artists' caravans, trying to capture every single moment of this fascinating world, its emotions, and the details hidden behind each character-the scent of hay, the rustle of costumes, the sound of animals.

The play of light and shadow fueled my desire to reproduce the emotion I felt and the strength that lay behind each act, behind each breath. Every moment became a story, a memory, a window into the life of the circus and its people-the moments of rest, their dynamics of life, their sense of family, their relationship with the animals. The hard work and sacrifice of the past, the passion and love for the art that animated them.

Then came the show, a continuous search for the perfect moment, capturing the concentration of the artists during their preparations, their intense expressions, the light in their eyes, the acrobats in mid-air, the trapeze artists gracefully defying balance, and the clowns bringing joy to the audience with their playful spirit. It all took place in an atmosphere reminiscent of the magic of Fellini's films, and everything was perfect.

My journey into the old Circus was an unforgettable experience that brought me back to the wonder of being a child, but above all, it made me reflect on the beauty of art and the importance of preserving such precious traditions, the desire to dream, the need to remember the nostalgia of an era I knew would come to an end, and not forgetting that the Circus is a place of wonder, adventure, courage, audacity, and dreams.