The 4th China International Circus Festival opened at Chimelong Hengqin International Circus City on Nov 18 attracting 25 world-class acrobatic teams from 18 countries.

Performance troupes hail from China, Ukraine, Sweden, Russia, Ireland, the US, Italy, Canada, and Columbia.

Presided over by Yao Yisheng, mayor and deputy secretary of the CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee, the opening ceremony had the Italian Pellegrini Brothers Hand to Hand, German Sven & Jan-Roller Skating, and American magic performances showcasing the talent at this year's festival. Chinese Moments, exemplifying the competitiveness of domestic teams, provided a thrilling climax.

Since its inception in 2013, the China International Circus Festival has become an increasingly important cultural brand with international influence. The mutual development of Chinese acrobatics and international circus culture is contributing to China's exchange and cooperation with the world, said Dong Wei, deputy director of the Ministry of Culture.

Opening of 4th China International Circus Festival

On behalf of the Guangdong government, vice-governor Huang Ningsheng extended congratulations. According to Huang, the China International Circus Festival is a significant international event aimed at promoting circus exchanges, fueling economic and social development, and enriching cultural life. It is of great importance for expediting Guangdong's construction as a culturally strong province and improving its cultural soft power, he said. 

The China International Circus Festival was initiated four years ago and has already grown into an international circus arena. More and more world-renowned circus troupes set a goal of bringing their performances to Zhuhai, said Urs Pilz, president of the Federation Mondiale du Cirque.

According to Pilz, the international circus cultural structure will be further modified due to China's rising status around the globe and its achievements in this field with the opening of the 4th China International Circus Festival.

The event has attracted 43 accumulative ace acrobatic teams from all over the world to take part, and 270,000 spectators in total since 2013. To carry on the tradition of promoting cultural activities among residents, six performances will be staged in Zhuhai and Macao for free this year, of which the first was held at the new Zhuhai Opera House on Nov 14.

Colors of China – one of the highlights of this year's festival brought by China

Attendees of the opening ceremony included Bian Faji, vice president of the China Federation of Literacy & Art Circles and president of the China Acrobats Association; Xue Xiaofeng, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central Peoples Government in Macao SAR; Ye Dabo, commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Wang Wen, commander of the PLA Macao Garrison; Zhou Wugang, political commissar of the PLA Macao Garrison; Zhuhai Party Chief Guo Yuanqiang; Su Zhigang, vice president of the All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce; Wu Jun, director of the Port Administration Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province; Wang Yiyang, director general of Guangdong Province’s Department of Culture; and Zeng Yingru, director of the Tourist Administration of Guangdong Province.

Fedor Grosssy’s Perch Balancing Act from Russia [Photos by Zhu Xi & Chen Jiazhe / Zhuhai Daily]