Flying Santa Claus

Since more than 20 years, a sparking sleigh has been whizzing over the visitors of the Christmas market on the town hall square. In it, sits the Christmas-crazy high-wire performer Rambo Bügler in a fireproof costume. Our author Lena Frommeyer takes a look behind the scenes of this Hamburg tradition.

Santa Claus climbs the parapet, pauses to adjust his black leather gloves one last time. Then he grabs hold of the sleigh, pulls it towards him and unexpectedly climbs nimbly into the menacingly swaying vehicle. Before setting off at dizzy heights, the red cap is adjusted, then Santa takes the reins of the reindeer in his hands and begins his flight over Hamburg's town hall square.

His name is Rambo. And he is a professional.

This procedure is repeated three times a day. Then the eyes of the visitors of the Christmas market shoot upwards. There, a wire rope is stretched from the large Christmas tree on the Alsterfleet to the eastern wing of the City Hall. From here, Santa Claus whizzes over their heads. "Ho ho ho," resounds from the loudspeakers. The same man has been in the costume for over 20 years. His name is Rambo. And he is a professional.

Rambo Bügler is part of a famous family of high-wire artists, as a child he was even baptized at a lofty height. Today he travels the world with his wife and children. Most recently, he did a headstand at 62 meters in Thessaloniki and rode a motorcycle over the high wire. Next year, the family is going to the Arabian Peninsula for an engagement In the meantime, Rambo is Santa Claus in Hamburg. For four weeks. A tradition.

"The first time I was only 13," he reminds. Back then, the Roncalli Circus hosted the first historic Christmas market in downtown Hamburg. And where there was a circus, artists couldn't be missing. At that time, a cloud was still attached under the sleigh. On it sat Rambo's later wife Ramona, dressed as an angel. "We were very nervous," says the now 30-year-old. "During the first interviews, the press officer was still whispering to me what to say."

"Hello Santa Claus," it calls from all corners.

Today, he's more detached in that regard, strolling through the market after the show, posing for selfies with small children and excited ladies. "Hello Santa Claus," it calls from all corners. Even with a light drizzle, this creates a contemplative mood. Craftsmen work in the beautifully lit wooden stalls. A blacksmith is hammering away at his metal, bakers are pushing lard cakes into hot fat. In the toy alley the wooden toys click and clatter and the nostalgic carousel from 1932 makes its rounds. Every year, up to three million people come to Hamburg to experience this magic.

Even Rambo can't get enough of it. "I feverishly look forward to this time of year and I'm just Christmas crazy," he confesses. "I watch Christmas movies in the summer and go to Christmas fairs in the middle of the year." He had most of his own costume made by craftsmen at the Hamburg market. It has to withstand special requirements. "The fabric must not be flammable, we work with pyrotechnics. And it must be waterproof, because I do this in wind and weather. Basically, it's like an astronaut suit," Rambo says.

Dad is helping Santa Claus in Hamburg

In two hours, he climbs back into the sleigh, tells his story about the reindeer from high above - and brings a smile to many people's faces. His wife, however, is no longer part of the show. "After all, we have two little elves of our own. They should spend the Christmas season at home," says Rambo. His daughters are four and six years old and are growing up with the family tradition. One of them is that Dad helps Santa Claus in Hamburg. Or is there perhaps more to it than that? Just to be clear: Rambo, are you the real Santa Claus? A hesitation and then a confident answer, "I don't know any other man in a red suit who flies over Hamburg in his sleigh. Do you?"