Death of Acrobat Martina Barceló: Family Travels to Bautzen

Family from Mallorca in Bautzen: Mourning after tragic accident

On Sunday afternoon a small delegation from Palma landed in Bautzen: Maite Cerdà, Gabriel Barceló and their 29-year-old son. They came to say goodbye to Martina Barceló, the 26-year-old acrobat who died in an accident during a performance by the Paul Busch Circus. The mood is quiet, the days are cool here in the Saxon small town — and the family seems as if they never expected to mourn so suddenly in another place.

How it happened

Witnesses reported that Martina fell headfirst into the ring from around five meters during a trapeze routine. About a hundred people had watched the performance. Emergency services arrived quickly and attempted resuscitation, but their efforts were unsuccessful. For the relatives, who arrived only days later, it was a shock they have not yet come to terms with: "We have not processed it yet," the mother said quietly, while a wreath lay at the spot in the ring where the acrobat fell.

Who Martina was

Martina grew up on Mallorca and received artistic training in Palma. An Erasmus year in the Netherlands and further stops led her into the circus world: training with Circo Stromboli and later engagements in larger ensembles — she began working professionally in 2018, including in Barcelona. Friends describe her as disciplined, headstrong and creative: she sewed her own costumes, taught herself German and often lived in a caravan while touring Europe with the circus.

Family, public, memories

The family criticized parts of the coverage and some social media posts they found sensationalist. At the same time, small private memorials have begun: colleagues and companions plan to organize a farewell at a friend’s circus, where Martina's equipment will also be handed over to her parents. The thought is comforting for the parents — and painful at the same time.

A modest farewell

On site there were still flowers at the ring, a few cards and a candle burning in a corner. Residents near the tent say the atmosphere has changed since the weekend: less laughter, more fragments of conversation. Those who knew Martina speak of a life made up of small, unspectacular choices — the commitment to an art form despite difficult conditions. That now remains as a memory. The family plans to return to Mallorca in the coming days; until then they will stay in Bautzen to say goodbye and take care of arrangements.

Note: In cases of public deaths it is often important to give relatives space to grieve. The planned memorial service will be private; further details will be announced by the organizers.