In 1989, Hacki was living in West Berlin on the day that the Berlin Wall came down. He went, as soon as he could, into the East looking for a place to open a Varieté theater. Working with partners he created there what many performers agree was the heartbeat of the revival of this form of entertainment, the Chamäleon Varieté. His inventions, innovations and insanity helped to attract a younger audience to witness these ancient arts. As the genius clown at the center of the scene he elevated laughter to its proper place in the scheme of things. We are so proud to have him return to the festival that he helped inspire and then literally helped us to build.