Jura region pays tribute to "Grock"
The memory of Switzerland’s "King of the Clowns" is being honoured on the 120th anniversary of his birth in the Bernese Jura.
The memory of Switzerland’s "King of the Clowns" is being honoured on the 120th anniversary of his birth in the Bernese Jura.
Born in the village of Loveresse in the Tavannes valley, Adrien Wettach was a multi-talented circus and variety hall performer who as "Grock" became the toast of European entertainment.
He could play 24 musical instruments, and also ran a successful music publishing business for the songs he composed. For a time reputedly the highest-paid artist in Europe, he went broke after buying a circus tent for his variety act after the Second World War.
But Grock recovered financially through successful circus tours and during his 60-year career went on to establish a world-wide reputation. He died in 1959.
To mark the anniversary of his birth, exhibitions and film shows about him have been organised throughout his native region, culminating in a grand gala night on April 9.
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