The countdown for the fourth China International Circus Festival has begun with 25 ace acrobatic teams from 18 countries arriving in Zhuhai. The grand event will commence at Chimelong Hengqin International Circus City on Nov 18.

This year's festival will see world-class performers from China, the United States, and Italy participate. Among them will be Italian acrobatics performing “Pellegrini Brothers -- Hand to Hand” -- guaranteed to be a strong contender.

Pellegrini Brothers -- Hand to Hand

The performance, which features four muscular athletes showcasing their power and aesthetic form, has already swept golden awards of the Monte-Carlo and Moscow international festivals, International Circus Art Festival in Warsaw, and Golden Circus Festival in Rome. Last year, it was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Golden Trick of Kobzov.

Six teams will also showcase the best of domestic acrobatics on stage. "The Ninth Wave-Chinese Pole," an all-new creation by the China National Acrobatic Troupe, will make its first appearance in an international circus competition.

To further increase technical difficulty, performers will integrate acrobatics and parkour in combo with a Chinese pole to represent a sail being rocked by rough waves. Centered on Chinese traditional acrobatics, the performance showcases regional culture, national characteristics, and the latest trends in the activity.

Twelve heavyweights including Bian Faji, president of the China Acrobats Association and vice president of the China Federation of Literary & Art Circles; Antoine Pascal Perset, president-cum-CEO of Telmondis, an audiovisual production company that specializes in high-end live entertainment in France; and several renowned judges from other international circus festivals will evaluate the performances.

Of the total, six performances will be staged for free this year, including one in Macao, to give the public a closer look at the performances.

Circus poster  [Photos courtesy Zhuhai Daily]