The municipality of Altena withdrew Circus Bossle’s licence for its scheduled Sunday performance in Veen, after initially granting permission for shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The mayor cited concerns about public order and signals of social unrest related to the importance many residents in the strictly Christian village attach to Sunday rest. About 40 people had bought tickets for the Sunday show, according to circus owner Leon Bossle.

The municipality said the circus had breached the licence by arriving in Veen and beginning to set up on Sunday. Bossle denied starting construction, saying the trucks and animals had only been brought to the meadow, and said the permit did not make clear that the circus could not arrive on Sunday. The Sunday performance has been cancelled, while the other scheduled performances were not reported as withdrawn.