2023-08-26 16:02:54
– Ivan Knie, an heir to the ears of horses
For almost two years, the grandson of Fredy Knie has been at the head of the stables and horses of the national circus. Guardian of a tradition, of a family DNA, he never imagined doing anything else with his life.
Posted today at 6:02 p.m.
Ivan Knie, seized this week in Fribourg, where the circus begins its tour of French-speaking Switzerland.
YVAIN GENEVAY/SUNDAY MORNING
He is handsome, to put it simply. This silhouette, both slender and athletic. Just before joining you, he passed quickly to dust off his hair, black, shiny like his eyes, straight. We are at Cirque Knie, in Fribourg. The French-speaking tour begins (Geneva from September 1, Lausanne from October 29, Sion October 26, complete program on www.knie.ch), and like his parents before him, Ivan Frédéric Knie, 22, 8th generation of the only royal family venerated by the Swiss, exudes this thing that is both calm, professional, a mixture of acrobat and Swiss seriousness.
He is told this crown prince physique. He responds soberly: “Thank you”. Ivan offers you a drink, in the Knie press caravan, vintage, old English leather, wood, black and white family photos. For two years, the eldest of Géraldine, her mother director, the grandson of Fredy Knie Jr, myth of horse training on the track, has become the young man in charge of the stables and the 35 stallions who occupy them on tour. “I was not told one morning, here you are, it’s your turn. Having this kind of responsibility with us is a long process, a maturation. You are there, and little by little, you take your place. And it was rather me who ended up asking to take care of the stables. My parents and my family have so many responsibilities, I also wanted to help, to do my part.” Fredy is also always around, he continues to transmit everything he knows to her. “He helps me, trains me, coaches me.” However, Ivan does not feel any particular pressure. “I was born into it, the horses, the acts, the tours, it has always been my existence. Of course, I want to make the public dream, and always do better. But it’s been like that since I was little. I manage to forget it, it’s very natural.
childhood ponies
As far back as he can remember, there were horses. Or the ponies of childhood. “The first one I worked with, I must have been 5 or 6 years old, his name was Gigolo, and he died very recently, at the age of 26.” This is the moment when there is a veil in his throat, the emotion is still strong. “He had a very beautiful and long life. And I know they say you shouldn’t get too attached to animals in a circus. Because one day, they leave. But the relationship that is created is sometimes so strong, it is difficult.
Never, however, has he dreamed of a life other than that. “Nobody at Knie is stopping you from doing anything. But what my parents said was to only do them 100%. I love sports, football, tennis. And when I wanted, for example, to play tennis, I was told: “Go ahead! Go all out, if you want.” But the circus is my home, it’s my life, my bubble. At one time, I often didn’t even want to go out for a day.” No teenage revolt, parties where you go into a spin, but always this iron discipline. “For horses, it’s every day. You have to get up early, take them out, take care of them, take care of them. I am always with them.”
A recent friendship has however made him move a little. “There was a nice chemistry between Bastian Baker and me,” he smiles. The singer made two tours with Knie, Ivan taught him to ride a horse. “Bastian also opened up his world to me, not only about the party that is supposed to be there, but I met a lot of people in his profession, I also saw this desire, this desire: it’s entertainment. I learned a lot from him, we have similar ideas, and we remained very good friends.
“The public must feel the real bond that unites me to the horses: there is a soul behind it, between them and me.”
Ivan Knee
How do we whisper, in 2023, in the ears of circus horses? “They are all so different. It’s not a cliché to say that. But he is such a sensitive animal, each time with a very particular character, and that has nothing to do with being Andalusian, Arab, gelding: everyone is special. You have to bring out the talent of each of them. At the same time, the public must feel the real bond that unites me to them: there is a soul behind it, between them and me. Of course, sometimes Ivan has his favorites. “But that absolutely must not be seen, on the other hand. This creates jealousies between horses. And there are also those born artists, who have such a presence on the track, a pride, the desire to show their beauty. In the past, stallions, feathers and pompoms were “disguised”. But now, “we do numbers that showcase their grace, their natural side”.
The ballet of manes
Horses are also the last animals to be present at the circus. “It’s a decision a few years ago, which was not made to please the critics who no longer want shows with animals. It is really the family who chose this option for their well-being: with the reduction of the place that we had in certain cities, even in Zurich or Geneva, it was no longer possible to guarantee for elephants or giraffes sufficient space, adequate comfort. And that is fundamental for us.”
“Bastian Baker also opened up his world to me. I learned a lot from him, we have similar ideas, and we remained very good friends.
Ivan Knee
Horses have thus remained the DNA and the symbol of Cirque Knie, with their vaguely wild and marvelous way of parade. When we ask Ivan about new numbers that he would imagine with his stallions, fire, water curtain, ballet, etc., he remains secret: “I sometimes see a movement, it makes me think of a possible new presentation. So I jot things down in notebooks. We’ll see.” Because the clock is ticking, and it’s already time to get ready. Tonight and every other night, he’s going to redo an incredible classic. It’s called the “Carrousel”, 30 horses at the same time on the track and in the sawdust, a delirium that spins in all directions, not like a clock – “something can always happen that does not work” – but rather like a dance, a melody of manes and hooves, then the miracle in the eyes of the public. Then, in the light, Ivan Frédéric Knie, new guardian of an old flame, steps forward.
Christopher Skip, born in Fribourg, has worked for Le Matin Dimanche since 2014, after working for Le Nouveau Quotidien and L’Illustré in particular. More informations
Found an error? Please let us know.
0 comments
1693073607
#Swiss #circus #Ivan #Knie #heir #ears #horses