The Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo Celebrates the 250th Anniversary of Circus - CircusTalk

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The Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo Celebrates the 250th Anniversary of Circus

What: 42nd International Monte-Carlo Circus Festival
Where: Monte-Carlo, Monaco
When: January 18-28, 2018
The Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo, located in the heart of Monaco, is one of the oldest circus festivals in the world, awarding the most globally respected circus award, the Golden Clown.

It is fitting that this festival occurs so close to France, which has a significant role in shaping circus into the art form we know today. Although the origin of circus is credited by many European scholars to Philip Astley in 1768, his influence was also significant in France when he brought his show there by request of King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette in 1783. The Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo was started by Prince Rainier III of Monaco back in 1974. 44 years later, the festival will recognize the 250th anniversary of circus by showing the global reach of circus as well as the diversity in acts that have developed since its inception.

The festival is both organized and presided over by H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie of Monaco and it attracts acts from all over the world. Princess Stephanie first juried a circus show at age nine and today she oversees all aspects of the festival from selecting acts, to production details.

“The traditional circus is based on three permanent features: art, comedy and animals.” stated Urs Pilz, Artistic Director of the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo a few years ago when he was asked about the selection process. While H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie, President of the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo Organising Committee, is committed to preserve the components of traditional circus, the Monte-Carlo Circus Festival also emphasizes the need for innovation within the framework of traditional values.

To celebrate 250 years of circus, Monte-Carlo wanted to pay tribute to the inception of circus this year by presenting an array of equestrian exhibitions. The festival will present a voltage and trick riding display with five acrobats and an “Equestrian Pas de Deux” by the Richter family, Jozsef standing on two circling horses while balancing his wife Merrylu on his head. The same family will also bring an exotic animal carousel act to the festival, featuring over 30 animals, including elephants, zebras, camels, llamas, horses, ponies and, and two giraffes.

 

Regarding the current controversies of animal presentation, Mr. Pliz also mentioned in an earlier interview by the Gouvernement Monaco, that “We work in close cooperation with the E.C.A. (European Circus Association) and the World Circus Federation placed under the patronage of H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie, in order to perfect the regulations on the living conditions of circus animals. We only engage acts in which the animals are treated beyond reproach, placing particular focus on the close relationship between the trainer and the animal.”

The Simets. Photo: Facebook Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo/Ezekiel Coopersmith

On the innovation side, the Simet trio will be one of the highlights of the festival with their “Astronauts” act. The Simets present a remarkable, innovative use of the traditional wheel of death apparatus, as three high wire acrobats balance alongside the turning wheel.

This year the festival presents 30 acts in which the Asian circus arts is also well represented. The Chinese Huang Yang, considered one of the most skilled contemporary virtuosos of the slack-wire, who flawlessly swings and walks, also manages to ladder balance, handstand and on unicycle upside down on the wire. The Acrobatic Troupe of Shanghai, will bring to the Fontvieille big top a Russian bar act, executing a three consecutive triple somersault and an acrobatic ballet of human pyramids.

Other artists of the 42nd International Circus Festival include the Vavilov Troupe paying tribute to the banquine tradition, the Prosvirnin clowns, a skating act from Leo and Ursula, Saulo Samiento on aerial pole, Nicolai Kuntz on trapeze, Michael Ferreri juggling, Yevgeny Komisarenko leading poodle tricks, a tiger presentation with Carmen Zander, Jigalov the clown, Jonathan Morin and Marie Eve-Bison an aerial duo, aerial bamboo from Duo Markov, Duo Miracle the contortionists and Jonathan Morin on cyr wheel.

 



What: 7th Festival New Generation
Where: Monte-Carlo, Monaco
When: February 3-4, 2018

The International Monte-Carlo Circus Festival will be followed by the 7th annual Festival New Generation which will take place on February 3rd and 4th. This is a circus competition for young artists. There will be three shows as well as a prize giving ceremony. The acts will include acrobats, clowns and animals competing for the Gold Junior, Silver Junior and Bronze Junior. The jury will be younger faces from all over the world. The youth festival is overseen by Pauline, daughter of Princess Stephanie.

 

 

 

All photos courtesy of Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival website
Shannon Yrizarry
Teacher, Artist, Writer -United States
Shannon Yrizarry is a writer, yoga teacher, theatre artist and circus arts advocate. Her passion is to help support a thriving community of inspired artists to keep the world dreaming and keep ideas alive. She is a hand balancer, grew up as a performing acrobat and trained in contortion. Her goal is to help people perform well and keep purpose, community and fun in the global circus community. Follow her journey on Instagram @shannonyrizarry.
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Shannon Yrizarry

Shannon Yrizarry is a writer, yoga teacher, theatre artist and circus arts advocate. Her passion is to help support a thriving community of inspired artists to keep the world dreaming and keep ideas alive. She is a hand balancer, grew up as a performing acrobat and trained in contortion. Her goal is to help people perform well and keep purpose, community and fun in the global circus community. Follow her journey on Instagram @shannonyrizarry.