The Incredible Journey of the Fercos Brothers

A breath of Hollywood recently swept through our museum when the legendary Fercos Brothers shared stories from their treasure trove at the Artists' Round Table. It is a story of courage, wild animals, and the indomitable will to conquer the world.

The Leap from the East

It all began in what was then Czechoslovakia. In the 1960s, the Fercos family started their career with an act that was completely new in the West at the time: the Russian Swing. Without safety nets or double bottoms, the children of the family – including Ferdinand and Tony – flew through the circus dome. Their father, the troop leader and a shrewd businessman, had the right instinct: He knew that artistry alone was not enough – you needed a "personality," a complete package of costume, music, and charisma to truly become great.

Discovered Under the Tent of Knie

The big turning point came during a guest performance in Switzerland at Circus Knie. It was a hot afternoon, 40 degrees in the tent, no air conditioning. But the Fercos gave it their all. In the audience sat Lulu K. (Frederik Apcar), an influential producer from Las Vegas. He saw the young talents and knew: This troupe must go to America.

Suddenly the brothers found themselves at the Dunes Hotel, the leading venue in Las Vegas at the time. Among legends like Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, they became stars themselves. Their name shone on the huge marquees of the Strip – a dream come true.

Magic, Juggling, and a "War" with Siegfried & Roy

In Las Vegas, the brothers constantly reinvented themselves. When the swing act ended, they moved into the magic business. This did not go unnoticed, of course. The competition was fierce, and there were even tensions with the famous Siegfried & Roy. "There was a real war," the brothers recalled with a grin. They even tried to stop them with lawyers, but the Fercos did not let themselves be deterred.

Meanwhile, Tony perfected his ping-pong ball juggling with his mouth. Today he holds the world record with seven balls – an achievement for which he trained seven days a week without a day off for years. Some of his original clubs and ping-pong balls can now be admired at our museum!

Living with the Kings of the Jungle

Especially gripping were their stories about their wild animals. Leopards, lions, panthers, and tigers were part of the family. "They played with our dogs and ate together with our Pomeranians," they reported. But working with the big cats was life-threatening. Ferdinand remembers a dramatic incident where a tiger attacked him during a show because he was wearing a mask and the animal did not recognize him. The tally: 300 stitches, blood on the musician's podium, and a lifelong scar. "You must never lose your respect," was the professionals' conclusion.

From the Strip to the Vienna Prater

Today Tony lives in Las Vegas, while Ferdinand runs a very different institution in Vienna: the famous Fercos Biergarten in the Prater. Their father had already bought the establishment in 1972, with the wise foresight that you cannot do somersaults forever.

Anyone who wants to learn more about this extraordinary family can watch the 90-minute documentary "Flying Fercos" on YouTube.

Experience the Stars Up Close!

Would you also like to hear such exciting stories first-hand? Our Artists' Round Table takes place regularly at our museum. Legends of the circus world, active performers, and fans meet here in a cozy atmosphere.

• Admission: Free!
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We look forward to your visit!