Twenty-eight premier acrobatic teams from 21 countries, including China, Russia, Australia, Germany, the US, Italy, Canada and the Netherlands, will perform during the 3rd China International Circus Festival. Before and between the shows at the Hengqin Island Theater, there will be free circus performances throughout Zhuhai and one in Macao, it was announced at an Oct 19 press conference. 

More than 200 performers will thrill audiences with extreme sports, mid-air and stage acrobatics, stunt performances, funny clown show, and large-scale magic shows. 

Circus activities announced [Photo by Li Jianshu / Zhuhai Daily]

Participating circus acts from Ukraine, the Republic of Belarus, Germany, France, Canada, the US, Mongolia, Belgium, Spain, Cuba, and Russia have already won numerous accolades including the prestigious Monte Carlo International Circus Festival Award. 

At present, three programs are from China (Shandong, Wuhan, and Shanghai), two of which including the Terracotta Warrior Russian Bar act have won the Golden Elephant Award at the 15th World Festival of Circus Arts in Moscow. The Russian Bar duo will integrate traditional Chinese elements with acrobatics and duo somersaults on the 15 cm-wide bar, whereas the other will highlight Chinese acrobatic charm with complicated balancing, handstands, modeling, and high-air revolving combinations.  

The Nov 18-26 festival will offer 18 performances with six for charity. The first off-site show is to be staged at the Macao Forum on Nov 12, going outside of the Chinese mainland to expand its influence. Others, running until Nov 26, are to be held at Zhuhai’s community squares, schools, and garrison command to reach out to locals and share the joys of the circus with the general public, according to the press conference.