Father Jesús Silva, who died on September 8 aged 78, was a Spanish priest who founded a “city republic” for underprivileged children and a celebrated international boys’ circus, El Circo de Los Muchachos.
Father Jesus Silva
Silva established La Ciudad de los Muchachos (the City of Boys) at Benposta, near Orense in Galicia, in 1956. The inhabitants were all boys from deprived backgrounds, aged from about four to 20.
The children ran the “republic” themselves, electing a mayor from among their number, while others took on various civic duties; the city had its own police force, public health officials, financial advisers and guardians of public morals. Racial and social distinctions were not recognised; attendance at Mass was not obligatory.
Concrete blocks were constructed to house dormitories, dining halls and classrooms. There was a bakery, petrol station, pottery factory, souvenir shop, supermarket, printing press and shoemaker.
The city even had its own currency, into which visitors had to change whatever money they were carrying (even Spanish pesetas) in order to make purchases.
Although the community near Orense closed in 2003, Father Silva’s example at Benposta has been taken up in many other countries — particularly in South America — where similar communities have been set up for street children. Although some now have resident adults, these have no more rights or powers than the children.
Jesús Cesar Silva Mendez was born at Orense on January 25 1933, the son of an architect. He decided to become a Jesuit priest, and a year before his ordination in 1957, he rescued 15 orphans and abandoned boys from the streets of Orense and gave them lodging at his mother’s house.
It was a gesture which did not go down well with his bishop, who cut off Silva’s stipend. Undeterred, he converted his mother’s house to include dormitories, workshops, classrooms and even a gym before his brother Jose Manuel, a lawyer, bought 30 acres of land outside the town for about £12,000. The property was called Benposta and handed over to Father Silva for his pioneering City of Boys. Later a second branch was established in a 16th-century monastery at Celanova, 20 miles away, for another 300 children.
Although Benposta received generous donations, the main burden of fund-raising fell on the shoulders of Father Silva.
His great-uncle was Manuel Feijoo, a celebrated Spanish circus impresario who combined with the Castilla family to create Madrid’s Circo Price and the touring Circo Americano; and for years Father Silva was chaplain to all the Spanish circuses, conducting Mass or baptising children under the Big Top.
He decided to put his circus heritage to good use, and in 1963 created an International Circus School at Benposta. He then founded El Circo de Los Muchachos, the boys’ own circus, to help fund the city. Originally the artistes came from Benposta, but they were later joined by young people from all parts of Spain, France, Spanish Guinea and Brazil.
The circus first hit the road in 1965, and for four years toured Spain and Portugal. In 1970 it went to France, with more than 100 artistes . The tour was sponsored by Jean Roche, director of the French Cirque Amar. Things turned sour, however, when the French impresario cancelled the contract, which became the subject of court action; the Muchachos were stranded in Amiens for two months until new engagements could be found.
Over the Christmas period in 1970-71 they were a triumph at the Grand Palais in Paris. They later enjoyed successful tours in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Canada, Japan and Australia.
The circus raised money for the city (the performers were reportedly paid £1.70 a week, with all their expenses covered by the company). Many of the boys went on to successful careers in other circuses.
Father Silva, who was awarded a UN peace medal , lived a modest life in Benposta, residing in a brick hut. His motor scooter was eventually replaced by a white Citroën estate car, his only indulgence.
It was a gesture which did not go down well with his bishop, who cut off Silva’s stipend. Undeterred, he converted his mother’s house to include dormitories, workshops, classrooms and even a gym before his brother Jose Manuel, a lawyer, bought 30 acres of land outside the town for about £12,000. The property was called Benposta and handed over to Father Silva for his pioneering City of Boys. Later a second branch was established in a 16th-century monastery at Celanova, 20 miles away, for another 300 children.
Although Benposta received generous donations, the main burden of fund-raising fell on the shoulders of Father Silva.
His great-uncle was Manuel Feijoo, a celebrated Spanish circus impresario who combined with the Castilla family to create Madrid’s Circo Price and the touring Circo Americano; and for years Father Silva was chaplain to all the Spanish circuses, conducting Mass or baptising children under the Big Top.
He decided to put his circus heritage to good use, and in 1963 created an International Circus School at Benposta. He then founded El Circo de Los Muchachos, the boys’ own circus, to help fund the city. Originally the artistes came from Benposta, but they were later joined by young people from all parts of Spain, France, Spanish Guinea and Brazil.
The circus first hit the road in 1965, and for four years toured Spain and Portugal. In 1970 it went to France, with more than 100 artistes . The tour was sponsored by Jean Roche, director of the French Cirque Amar. Things turned sour, however, when the French impresario cancelled the contract, which became the subject of court action; the Muchachos were stranded in Amiens for two months until new engagements could be found.
Over the Christmas period in 1970-71 they were a triumph at the Grand Palais in Paris. They later enjoyed successful tours in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Canada, Japan and Australia.
The circus raised money for the city (the performers were reportedly paid £1.70 a week, with all their expenses covered by the company). Many of the boys went on to successful careers in other circuses.
Father Silva, who was awarded a UN peace medal , lived a modest life in Benposta, residing in a brick hut. His motor scooter was eventually replaced by a white Citroën estate car, his only indulgence.
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