News Archive
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05 October 2012Norway's Agriculture Minister Refuses to Ban Circus Elephants
The Norwegian Minister for Agriculture, Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, has rejected a ten year old proposal to ban elephants in the circus, stating that a ban was unnecessary. Instead, the ministry will prepare draft regulations to ensure appropriate care and welfare of performing elephants in the circus.
More information:
07 September 2012Mexican Circus Organisation becomes Tenth Federation Member
A second Mexican circus organization has joined the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque, bringing the Federation another step closer to its goal of uniting the global circus community for the promotion and preservation of Circus Arts and Culture. The Unión Nacional de Empresarios y Artistas de Circos Mexicanos A.C. (UNEAC) comprises 22 circuses based in Mexico and was formed to represent the circuses and advance mutual interests.
05 September 2012South African High Court Rules in Favour of Federation Member AIA
On 4 September 2012, the High Court declared the appointment of the current KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Board to be invalid, bringing to an end a lengthy court battle between the Animal Interest Alliance (AIA) and the board. AIA’s dispute with the board began in 2006 when the latter attempted to introduce a policy that was clearly aimed at prohibiting the keeping of any wild animals in captivity except for limited conservation purposes. While the policy was subsequently withdrawn, it was replaced by various standards and conditions that would have made the keeping of wild animals impossible. The court also ordered the payment of AIA’s legal costs.
04 September 2012Senft Twins Capture Top Photography Prize Again
American artists and identical twins have won "Best of Show" for an unprecedented second time in the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque’s annual photography contest.
America’s Senft Twins Capture Top Photography Prize for Second Time
Amerikas Senft Zwillinge erfassen top Photography Preis zum zweiten Mal
Les jumeaux américains Senft ont remporté le Premier Prix de photographie pour la deuxième fois
Los Gemelos Estadounidenses Senft Ganan el Premio Mayor de Fotografía por Segunda Ocasión
I gemelli americani Senft si aggiudicano per il secondo anno il premio di fotografia di importante
Amerikaanse Senft Tweeling grijpt Top Photographie Prijs voor de tweede keer
20 April 2012Korean Acrobat Union Joins the Federation during WCD Celebration
Monte-Carlo, Monaco (20 April 2012) The Fédération Mondiale du Cirque is pleased to announce that the Acrobatics Association of Korea (AAK) joined the Federation today as its newest member. The AAK was created in September 2011 in Pyongyang to bring together and represent Circus artists from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Korean Acrobat Union Joins the Federation during WCD Celebration >>
L’Union Coréenne des Acrobates rejoint la Fédération pendant les Célébrations du WCD >>
Koreanischer Artistenverband wird während der Feiern zum Weltcircustag Mitglied der Federation >>
Unión Coreana de Acróbatas se une a la Federación durante la Celebración del DMC >>
Koreaanse Vakbond van Acrobatiek Wordt Lid van de Federatie tijdens WCD Festiviteiten >>
19 April 2012H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco
H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco and daughter Pauline send World Circus Day greetings!
Third World Circus Day Greetings from H.S.H. Princess Stephanie: IT FR DE NL
16 April 2012Fédération Mondiale du Cirque launches international guide to the circus
User-Friendly Guide Released in Conjunction with World Circus Day
Monte-Carlo, Monaco (16 April 2012) - The Fédération Mondiale du Cirque, under the patronage of H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco, announces the launch of the International Guide to the Circus, an easy-to-read publication defining 100 key circus terms translated in nine languages. The Guide is being released in conjunction with World Circus Day, Saturday, April 21.
FMC International Guide to the Circus >>
FMC launches international guide to the circus >>
FMC gibt international guide to the circus heraus >>
FMC hace el lanzamiento de la guía internacional para el circo >>
FMC lance un guide international du cirque >>
FMC lancia la guida internazionale al circo >>
FMC brengt internationale gids voor het circus op de markt >>
11 April 2012Federation and Circus Museums Join the World Digital Library
Monte-Carlo, Monaco (10 April 2012) The Fédération Mondiale du Cirque today joined the World Digital Library as an official Partner. The World Digital Library (WDL) was conceived by the United States Library of Congress as an Internet-based, easily-accessible collection of the world's cultural riches that would tell the stories and highlight the achievements of all countries and cultures to promote cross-cultural awareness and understanding. Launched in April 2009, the WDL today features high quality, selected images reflecting the cultural heritage of UNESCO member states. The Federation, together with a group of leading libraries, museums and archives, is ensuring that Circus is included among the digital images of world treasures displayed on the site.
Federation and Circus Collections Partner with World Digital Library >>
La Federación y Colecciones Circenses en Asociación con la World Digital Library >>
Les Collections de la Fédération et des Cirques partenaires dans la World Digital Library >>
Federation und Circussammlungen werden Partner der World Digital Library >>
Federation en Circus Collecties Partner van World Digital Library >>
La Fédération è divenuta partner ufficiale della World Digital Library >>
12 March 2012Federation Honors René Casselly Junior and the Casselly Elephants
The Fédération Mondiale du Cirque awarded René Casselly Junior and his Elephants a Special Prize for his outstanding performance at “New Generation” a new competition for young artists hosted by Monte Carlo Festivals. The award was presented at the conclusion of the competition on 5 February 2012 by Mr. John Le Mare of Australia, Secretary of the Federation’s Board of Directors. Mr. Le Mare chose 16 year old Master Casselly for the award on behalf of the Board because of his incredibly skilled acrobatic performance on moving elephants and his impressive rapport with both the animals and the audience.
"This was a masterly display" said Mr. Le Mare, "combining sympathetic and sophisticated presentations of both elephants and horses with his own charm and confidence."
The Caselly family, which also performed with horses during the competition, was chosen by the professional jury to receive the highest prize of the competition: the Junior Golden Clown. Days before the family also received the Golden Clown, the top award of the 36th Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo.
Winners of the first New Generation competition and the 36th Festival can be viewed at www.montecarlofestivals.mc
12 March 2012Social Circus on the International Stage
Social circus is not a new concept but there is increasing recognition of its importance and potential to attain societal objectives. To promote greater awareness and understanding of social circus, the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque undertook several activities in January and February of 2012.
Ms. Jessica Hentoff’s key note speech captivated the audience at the annual Circus Directors’ Luncheon hosted by the Federation and Monte Carlo SBM at the Hotel Hermitage on 22 January in Monaco. Ms. Hentoff - a circus performer, a teacher and source of inspiration to many - is the director of Circus Harmony, a small circus school that caters to children of all socio-economic backgrounds in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Describing social circus as the use of circus arts to influence change on a personal or community level, Ms. Hentoff explained: “Circus education helps children to break free from whatever it is that is holding them down…. Learning, teaching and performing circus skills as part of a circus community helps children to not only defy gravity but leap over social barriers.” In short, according to Ms. Hentoff, “Circus teaches the Art of Life.”
From Monaco, Ms. Hentoff travelled to the 9th International Circus Festival of Budapest where she represented the Federation at a workshop on social circus hosted by the Festival and organised by Mr. Alessandro Serena of Circo e Dintorni, Italy. In opening remarks, Mr. Serena described various social circus programs and achievements, noting the need to make each of these “daring but disparate” programs aware of each other. In the following presentations, participants learned more about the unique programs offered by Circo Para Todos (Colombia), Circo della Pace (Italy), the Ocelot Foundation (Poland), and Circus Harmony (United States) and the power of circus from the personal testament of Daniel Romina, an individual who went from living on the streets of Bucherest to becoming a circus professional and teacher through participation in social circus.
To pay tribute to the many organisations around the world facilitating social change on a daily basis but unable to participate in these events, the Federation produced a printed booklet on Social Circus highlighting the missions of sixteen social circus programs based in in Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Northern Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, South Africa and the United States.
12 March 2012Preservation Project Update
The Federation's Preservation Project is gaining momentum as two major components near completion. On World Circus Day, the Federation anticipates an important announcement concerning its work on digitisation and sharing of important Circus history and also is planning a number of media and other events to launch an International Guide to the Circus. The Guide is intended to educate the media and others about key circus performance terms and will present 100 key terms, providing translation in 8 languages.
12 March 2012New ECA Director
Mrs. Zsuzsanna Mata began her tenure as the new Director of the European Circus Association on the 1st of February. She also joins the Federation as an Advisor.
12 December 2011Federation Welcomes Japanese Circus & Entertainment Association
Monte-Carlo, Monaco (12 December 2011) The Japanese Circus & Entertainment Association has joined the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque, becoming the Federation’s first member in Asia. The Association brings together traditional Japanese companies including Kinoshita Circus, Pop Circus and Dream Circus as well as foreign shows touring in Japan and others in the Japanese entertainment sector. Its aim is to improve and promote innovation in circus and other performance activities and to provide a venue to resolve mutual challenges through cooperation. The Association was established in 1950. Today it has 41 members and 85 supporting members under the presidency of Mr. Tadashi Kinoshita, also president of Kinoshita Circus.
05 December 2011Frau Christel Sembach-Krone Honored as Circus Ambassador
Monte-Carlo, Monaco (5 December 2011) Mrs. Christel Sembach-Krone, proprietor of Europe’s largest circus, has been awarded the honor of being named “Ambassador of Circus” by the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque under the patronage of H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco. Mrs. Sembach-Krone was informed of the award on the occasion of her 75th birthday on Sunday, 27 November 2011.
Frau Christel Sembach-Krone Honored as Circus Ambassador >>
Frau Christel Sembach-Krone als Circusbotschafterin geehrt >>
Madame Christel Sembach-Krone nommée Ambassadrice du Cirque >>
Sra. Christel Sembach-Krone Honrada como Embajadora de Circo >>
Christel Sembach-Krone nominata Ambasciatrice del Circo >>
Frau Christel Sembach-Krone Geëerd als Circus Ambassadeur >>
24 October 2011ECA: European Parliament President Grants Patrimony to Latina Circus Festival
XIII Festival Internazionale del Circo
“Città di Latina”
Latina 13 / 17 Ottobre 2011
www.festivalcircolatina.com
Press Release n° 17 – Tuesday September 6th 2011
THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, JERZY BUZEK, GRANTS PATRONAGE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO THE INTERNATIONAL CIRCUS FESTIVAL “CITY OF LATINA”
The President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, has granted the patronage of the European Parliament to the thirteenth edition of the International Circus Festival “City of Latina”. The President, in acknowledging the important role of the Circus in European art and culture, has confirmed the European Parliament’s commitment to protecting and promoting its culture.
www.festivalcircolatina.com
segreteria@festivalcircolatina.com
39 0773 474000
10 October 2011OABA: 2011 Big E Honors Bello Nock
Big E Super Circus star and “America’s Best Clown,” Bello Nock was honored by Eastern States Exposition (ESE), receiving a granite stone on The Big E’s Walkway of Circus Stars. Nock was presented a plaque marking the event during his 1 p.m. performance Oct. 1. Following the show, his permanent place on the walkway was revealed. Eastern States Exposition, known as “The Big E,” a 17-day Fair located in West Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, hosted 1.2 million during its run, Sept. 16 – Oct. 2. The Circus has been a part of The Big E since 1970 and was moved to a big top tent and dubbed The Big E Super Circus in 1989, offering three free shows daily to Fair visitors in the one-ring European format.
26 September 2011Mexican Circus Proprietors' Organisation Joins the Federation
Monte-Carlo, Monaco (26 September 2011) The largest Mexican circuses have joined the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque, bringing the Federation another step closer to its goal of uniting the global circus community for the promotion and preservation of Circus Arts and Culture. The application of the Asociación Mexicana de Empresarios de Circo (AMEC) was accepted provisionally by the Federation’s Board of Directors at its June 2010 meeting in Montreal, Canada, which also was its first gathering outside of Europe. Administrative arrangements are now in place for AMEC to officially join the Federation as a Member. AMEC becomes the first new Member of the Federation since its Founding in 2008, joining circus associations based in Australia, Canada, Europe and South Africa.
Mexican Circus Proprietors’ Organisation Joins the Federation >>
Verband mexikanischer Circusdirektoren wird Mitglied der Federation >>
Organización de Propietarios de Circos Mexicanos se une a la Federación >>
Organizzazione messicana di proprietari di circo entra nella Federazione >>
L’association mexicaine des propriétaires de cirque rejoint la Fédération >>
Mexicaanse Organisatie van Circuseigenaren Sluit Zich aan bij Federatie >>
17 August 2011American Twins Capture Top Photography Prize
Monte-Carlo, Monaco (17 August 2011) - A charming and perfectly executed photograph of a circus elephant feeding a clown’s baby taken by Jason and Justin Senft, American artists and identical twins from the United States is the “best of show” winner in the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque’s 2011 photography contest. The winning image portraying the “Children and the Circus” contest theme was selected by Federation Honorary President H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco from a dozen finalists selected by an international panel of judges and will be exhibited in January 2012 during the 36th Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo and featured on the cover of the Federation’s 2012 wall calendar.
Defying the famous show business saying, “Never work with children or animals”, artists Jason and Justin Senft dreamed up the fanciful concept of a circus elephant deftly grasping a baby bottle in its trunk to feed a circus performer’s baby. After several weeks on the road with John Ringling North II’s Kelly Miller Circus and working closely with elephant trainer Armando Loyal, Becky the elephant, circus clown Ryan Combs, and his six-month-old son Nicolas, Messrs. Senft finally realized their vision and captured a magical moment at the circus. The Senfts were also among the winners of the 2010 photography contest with another “Norman Rockwell-esque” circus image.
“We are inspired by the rich visual history of the circus, in particular, the traditional circus, under a canvas Big Top,” say the Senfts, “and we hope to capture and convey the beauty and excitement that happens when the circus comes to town.” Jason and Justin Senft work collaboratively in many artistic disciplines and their dedication to their circus photography has them going to great lengths, often experiencing the same travel and weather conditions as the performers, to get the perfect image.
Participating in this year’s contest were amateur and professional photographers from 26 countries: Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, France, Germany, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, the Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The 12 winning photos all reflected the theme of “Children and the Circus”, each depicting youngsters enjoying their circus experiences:
Tobias Erber (Germany) has carved out a nearly permanent place in the Federation’s contest with five winning photos appearing during the last three years. This year’s photograph captures a confident showman, four-year-old Chris Rui Knie, presenting an elephant at the May 2011 premiere in Zurich in May and shows the continuing talent of the Knie family dynasty.
Bruno Maria Campagna (Italy) shows off the talents of ten-year-old Giulia Cantarella performing at the Paride Orfei Circus School in Peschiera Borromeo, near Milan, Italy, in May 2010. Ms. Cantarella had completed her third year of studies at the time of the photograph.
Thomas Rocher (Germany) captured the excitement and joy of the circus on the face of a young performer training with LILALU in the summer of 2005 in Munich, Germany. LILALU offers children the opportunity to experience circus arts and perform in a real circus tent during school holidays.
Rick Purdue (United States), a retired zoologist turned circus photographer, captured Giovanni Zoppé as Nino the Clown and son Julien as Nineto “Discussing the Whereabouts of Hats,” while mother Amy Riccio-Zoppé watches from behind the ring at Zoppé - An Italian Family Circus.
Alex Zaprudsky (United States) depicted the continuing tradition of passing circus arts from one generation to the next with his photograph of Adrian Poema of Buenos Aires, Argentina, performing with his family in the Kelly Miller Circus during the 2010 season.
Valerie Berta’s (France) photograph of three-year-old Gigi Greene, daughter of a first generation circus artist, shows the early dedication of artists growing up in the circus. The photograph captures a typical backstage circus scene, this one taken in 2010 at the Kelly Miller Circus.
Fernando Velasco’s (Mexico) shot conveys joy on the face of Leandro Segura, a member of a family trapeze troupe from Buenos Aires, Argentina. The photograph was taken at Circo Atayde Hermanos, in Mexico City in early 2011.
Robert Sanson (United States) captured the youthful artists during the finale of Circus Smirkus’ 2009 show, "Smirkus Ever After." With performers ranging in age from 10 to 18, Circus Smirkus performs a full season, touring the Northeast United States in its own, European-style, one-ring tent.
Katja Stuppia’s (Switzerland) photograph of ten-year-old Ivan Frédéric Knie and his grandfather Fredy Knie Jr., was taken at the season premiere of Schweizer National Circus Knie in Rapperswill, Switzerland earlier this year. The photograph captured the moment of their first appearance on horseback together in the ring, evidencing the living circus tradition of Switzerland.
Christian Hamel (France), President of the French Circus Friends Association, captured an emotional scene at Circus Knie when an inspired member of the audience drifted away from friends and family following the show in Geneva in 2007 to experience for himself the magic of the piste.
Dimitri Würschel’s (Austria) winning photograph features ten-year-old clown Leon Alberto presenting his trained mouse Augustine in Vienna in 2011. Mr. Würschel and younger brother Leon Alberto perform with Circus Dimitri, fondly referred to as the “littlest circus on earth.”
The 2011 international jury comprised circus historians Greg Parkinson (USA), Antonio Giarola (Italy), Arthur Hofmeester (The Netherlands), Mark St. Leon (Australia), Julio Revolledo Cárdenas (Mexico), and Charles Ricketts (South Africa).
Winning images will be exhibited in January 2012 during the 36th Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo. Wall calendars featuring the winning photographs may be purchased at www.oaba.org for residents of North America and in the Federation’s Boutique at www.circusfederation.org for other world regions beginning in September 2011.
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For further information:
Laura van der Meer, Federation Executive Director, at laura@circusfederation.org, tel. 32.2.633.1503
Rodney Huey, North American Press Representative, at fmcnews@gmail.com, tel. 1.703.627.1080
Dirk Kuik, European Press Representative, at dirk@circus-verlag.de, tel. 49.172.424.1843
John Le Mare, Oceania Press Representative, at john@aladdins.com.au, tel. 61.75.474.4453
27 June 2011Businesses and Christian Forum Partner with the Federation
Monte-Carlo, Monaco (27 June 2011) Three business organizations and a Christian organisation for circus people join the Federation this month as Associated Members, bringing their expertise and enthusiasm to support the future of Circus.
15 June 2011ECA: Circus Krone Challenges Performing Animal Ban in Austria
Brussels, Belgium – The European Circus Association (ECA) today announced the filing of a legal action against Austria to challenge its ban on animals in the circus. ECA President Urs Pilz said. “The right to present well-cared for animals under good welfare conditions in the classical circus in Europe must be established once and for all.”
Circus Krone Challenges Performing Animal Ban in Austria >>
Cirque Krone conteste l’interdiction des animaux dans les cirques en l’Autriche >>
09 May 20112nd World Circus Day events in 39 Countries
Monte-Carlo, Monaco (3 May 2011) More that 160 circus partners in 39 countries participated in 125 festive events to celebrate the Second World Circus Day on Saturday, April 16. Australia and the United States offered the most events, while European participation remained strong with celebrations in 21 countries. Collectively World Circus Day events reached tens of thousands of people worldwide in support of the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque’s goal of promoting Circus arts and culture.
Federation Honorary President H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco sent personal greetings to all World Circus Day participants. The Princess said: “Circus inspires and amazes. It builds cooperation, trust and confidence. Circus makes the impossible possible, the ordinary magical. Circus is the best of art, music, drama, comedy and athletics in one extraordinary experience. It reminds of us of our past, it is part of our present and I, along with many others, look forward to its vibrant future.” H.S.H. Princess Stephanie celebrated by attending a performance of Cirque Medrano in France.
Events took place in more countries in Latin America this year, including Chile and Ecuador, and in the Asian-Pacific area, with festivities offered for the first time in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Samoa and Thailand. Federation President Mr. Urs Pilz personally welcomed the public to World Circus Day performances by the National Pyongang Circus as part of the annual Spring Friendship Arts Festival and the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, which dedicated five shows, in circus tents and in theatre settings, to World Circus Day. Mr. Pilz congratulated the Circus community on its ongoing support for this special performing art and recognized the strong contributions of China and the DPRK to both the tradition and future of Circus. “These fantastic events permitted artists from Pyongyang and Shanghai to share happiness with combined domestic and foreign audiences and gave us all a moment to reflect on the importance of preserving and promoting Circus arts and culture around the world,” said Pilz.
Participating for the first time was the Mobile Mini Circus for Children based in Afghanistan. The children’s World Circus Day show in Kabul featured regional music and costume and a hand-crafted, mobile elephant on which children and youth showed off their juggling skills. Directors David Mason and Berit Mühlhausen said “World Circus Day in Afghanistan was a day of celebrating the good and positive, youth, and fun and joy.” They reported that the show was one of the most successful events ever held at their center, attracting coverage by nine television stations, radio and print media, and reports by 200 outlets from Associated Press to BBC and USAToday. They ask: “Couldn’t we make every day a World Circus Day?”
Social media played a dominant role in promoting and celebrating this year’s World Circus Day. The week leading up to World Circus Day, America’s Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey promoted World Circus Day through 21 live performances, complemented by creating awareness and real time updates on Ringling Bros.’s Facebook page and Twitter feed to more than 20,000 fans and followers. “Our celebration also included sending photo and video greetings from Ringling Bros. performers in recognition of World Circus Day through YouTube,” says Nicole Feld, Producer of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. “In addition, we encouraged families, friends and fans to share their World Circus Day moments on our Facebook page and to check out our website Ringling.com. Visitors to our website found fun, downloadable and interactive activities for everyone, including an elephant ringtone for their mobile telephones.” Not wanting to be outdone by technology, Kelly Ann, a Ringling elephant born at Feld’s the Center for Elephant Conservation, attracted a great deal of attention herself at show venues where she presented a large poster bearing the World Circus Day logo.
Dutch circus fan Jan Jimmink also harnessed the power of the internet to spread the celebration. His World Circus Day Facebook page attracted more than 900 people who extended World Circus Day greetings to one another online, recounted fond memories, and expressed their enduring love for Circus. Numerous circus associations and clubs promoted World Circus Day through websites and on line newsletters. New this year was a “flash mob” event hosted by the Australian Circus and Physical Theatre Association in which individuals rushed to meet at an agreed time and place in celebration of World Circus Day before melting back into the city streets. Also unique was Australian Circus Sunrise’s narrated demonstration, complete with safety measures, to show the public how to pull down a circus tent.
Traditional celebrations, including shows, parades, contests, exhibitions and educational programs about circus history continued to characterize the majority of the celebrations, with an emphasis on hands-on workshops for youth and adults. Event organizers included classical and contemporary circuses, festivals, professional circus schools, media outlets, musicians and writers, theatre groups, governmental and non-profit cultural and educational organizations, historical societies, museums and libraries holding circus collections, model builders, professional circus associations, circus friends organizations, community schools, performing arts centers, dance troupes, youth, social circus and amateur circus clubs.
Prevalent again in 2011 were circus celebrations with philanthropic purposes. Rambo Circus of India and Latvia’s Riga Circus offered special shows and activities for disadvantaged children and youth. Circus Starr in the United Kingdom raised funds for a children’s hospice and donated 1000 tickets to local organizations that promote social cohesion. Australian Aladdin’s online ticketing service, Zirkus Stey of Switzerland, and Germany’s Circus Krone donated funds from World Circus Day performances to the Circus Federation of Australia, the European Circus Association, and the Federation to support their work to ensure the future of Circus.
Selected celebrations of the Second World Circus Day will be featured in “Planet Circus” magazine at the end of June. Images should be sent to dirk@circus-verlag.de by 15 May to be considered for publication. The Federation’s annual Circus Photography Contest, which opened on World Circus Day with the theme of “Children and the Circus,” closes 15 June 2011. The Third annual World Circus Day will be held on Saturday, 21 April 2012. Where will you be celebrating?
The Fédération Mondiale du Cirque was founded in 2008 under the patronage of H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco and is headquartered in Monte-Carlo. The Federation is a non-profit organization created to promote Circus arts and culture worldwide, to serve as a voice for the Circus community, and to represent Circus interests at the international level.
# # #
For further information:
Laura van der Meer, Federation Executive Director, at laura@circusfederation.org, tel 32.2.633.1503
Rodney Huey, North American Press Representative, at fmcnews@gmail.com, tel 1.703.627.1080
Dirk Kuik, European Press Representative, at dirk@circus-verlag.de, tel. 49.172.424.1843
John Le Mare, Oceania Press Representative, at john@aladdins.com.au , tel. 61.75.474.4453
16 March 2011WCDII: Events in 14 Countries Already Registered
More than 50 Events in 14 Countries already Registered World Circus Day II - Saturday, 16 April 2011
Monte-Carlo, Monaco, 16 March 2011 -- The Fédération Mondiale du Cirque, under the patronage of H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco, today announced that one month in advance of the second World Circus Day (WCDII) more than 50 individual events involving more than 70 partners in 14 countries already have been submitted for registration on the Federation website. WCDII, which will take place on 16 April 2011, also marks the kickoff of the Federation’s 3rd Annual Circus Photo Contest: “Children and the Circus.”
“World Circus Day is designed to set aside one day to recognize the contributions of Circus as a vital part of our shared culture,” said Laura van der Meer, Executive Director of the Federation. “After last year’s success, we expect to see a significant increase in the scope and number of events in 2011. In fact, we received registrations for events in five countries in the first 24 hours following our announcement of this year’s date.” Ms. van der Meer said.
Circuses, friends associations, historical societies, youth organizations, school groups, professional associations, museums, libraries, civic groups, and anyone else interested in participating in WCDII are encouraged to register their events at the Federation’s website. Last year more than 75 events took place in 36 countries in North, Central and South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
Among the celebrations in 2010 were parades, open air shows, fund-raisers for local charities, gala events, open houses, exhibitions, competitions, raffles, give-a-ways, and free admission to circus shows under tents, in halls and on stages. In Nairobi, for example, the United Nations hosted a special performance by Kenyan acrobats for its staff and their families. More than 2,000 underprivileged children were invited to circus shows in Brazil; South Africans, including some in circus costumes, participated in a 5K fun run/walk; and a celebration in the United States generated funds to benefit rural families in Mongolia.
Registration forms and event details for WCDII may be found here at www.circusfederation.org. Rules and entry forms for the photo contest will be posted on 16 April 2011.
The Fédération Mondiale du Cirque was founded in 2008 under the patronage of H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco and is headquartered in Monte-Carlo. The Federation is a non-profit organization created to promote Circus arts and culture worldwide, to serve as a voice for the Circus community, and to represent Circus interests at the international level.
# # #
For further information:
Laura van der Meer, Federation Executive Director, at laura@circusfederation.org, tel 32.2.633.1503
Rodney Huey, North American Press Representative, at fmcnews@gmail.com, tel 1.703.627.1080
Dirk Kuik, European Press Representative, at dirk@circus-verlag.de, tel. 49.172.424.1843
John Le Mare, Oceania Press Representative, at johnlemare@gmail.com, tel. 61.75.474.4453
28 February 20112011 Photo Contest Opens
Children and the Circus Photo Contest 2011 Competition Opens on World Circus Day
Monte-Carlo, Monaco (28 February 2011) - “Children and the Circus” will be the theme of the 2011 Photography Contest announced today by the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque, under the patronage of H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco. The contest will begin on the Second World Circus Day, Saturday, 16 April 2011, and end on 15 June 2011.
The idea to focus on children for the 2011 contest came from Nico Wiertz, member of the Board of Directors of the Dutch Circus Friends Organisation. “The circus appeals to children everywhere, and to the child in all of us,” said Mr. Wiertz, “When children go to the circus, they become so fascinated that they forget to eat their popcorn. The future of the circus is assured by children who grow up to appreciate circus as part of our culture and as a performing art,” he added.
The contest is open to professional and amateur photographers, circus friends and hobbyists. Twelve winning photos will be selected by a panel of circus historians. The overall winner will be selected personally by H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco. Winning photographs will be published in a 2012 wall calendar available for purchase in September 2011.
All participants will be informed of the results of the contest by the end of July, and each winner will receive a calendar signed by H.S.H. Princess Stephanie. The overall winner will be offered a two-night complimentary stay for two persons at the Riviera Marriott Hotel 19-21 January 2012 and two tickets to Competition Shows A and B of the 36th Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo.
Photographs must be in color and submitted to PhotoContest@circusfederation.org before 15 June. Contest Entry forms and specifications will be available at http://www.circusfederation.org/ from 16 April 2011.
The Fédération Mondiale du Cirque was founded in 2008 under the patronage of H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco and is headquartered in Monte-Carlo. The Federation is a non-profit organization created to promote Circus arts and culture worldwide, to serve as a voice for the Circus community, and to represent Circus interests at the international level.
# # #
For further information:
Laura van der Meer, Federation Executive Director, at laura@circusfederation.org, tel 32.2.633.1503
Rodney Huey, North American Press Representative, at fmcnews@gmail.com, tel 1.703.627.1080
Dirk Kuik, European Press Representative, at dirk@circus-verlag.de, tel. 49.172.424.1843
John Le Mare, Oceania Press Representative, at johnlemare@gmail.com, tel. 61.75.474.4453
18 November 2010Wiesbaden Workshop - "Preservation of Circus Memory"
The final workshop of Phase II of the Fédération’s Preservation Project – “Preservation of Circus Memory” – was held in Wiesbaden, Germany on 30 October 2010 in conjunction with the Ninth European Youth Festival. The meeting was hosted by the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque and the European Circus Association, and featured German and Dutch museum administrations and library archivists, as well as private collectors and benefactors from both Germany and the Netherlands.
The topics presented by the speakers, and discussed by conference participants, included the content of major circus collections in German and Dutch museums and libraries; the processes and levels of cooperation between public institutions and foundations; and the relationship and common interests among public institutions, foundations and private collectors. Mr. Arie Oudenes, Director of the European Circus Association, also presented video documentaries of traveling European circuses to stress the importance of oral histories as vital artifacts in circus collections.
Dr. Rodney Huey, Fédération advisor, facilitated an open discussion among presenters and conference attendees concerning the prospects of digitizing circus collections held by public institutions, and the feasibility of private collectors partnering with public institutions to digitize their collections.
Several conclusions were drawn from the presentations and discussions, among the most significant were:
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The desire to collect, exhibit and allow public access to collections is driven by a personal passion for preserving circus memories by both public institution administrators and private collectors
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Making significant circus collections publicly accessible through the digitization of collections is not only a necessary “next step,” but an “imperative” that must be addressed
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Both public institutions and private collectors have no objections to partnering for the digitization of collections, although there exist a number of obstacles that must first be addressed; funding, staffing requirements, technical and software considerations, ongoing management of digitized collections, and a variety of legal issues concerning ownership and copyrights of collections
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The participants agreed that large collections should undergo a “vetting” process by qualified archivists to assure the overall quality of the digitized collection, and to eliminate redundancy and/or duplication of circus collectibles
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Provided that the foregoing obstacles can be resolved, both public and private collectors have no objection to the creation of a “shared website” whereby multiple digitized collections may be posted
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The need to develop a common terminology internationally for circus archives was also addressed and agreed to by conference presenters and participants
These conclusions were incorporated into a five-year plan that will help guide the Fédération’s Preservation Project, and will provide a foundation on which to build an “virtual circus collection” on the Internet as a major step toward creating public access to significant circus collections worldwide.
13 October 2010Famed Chinese Acrobat Xia Juhua Named Circus Ambassador
Monte-Carlo, Monaco (12 October 2010) - On the occasion of Monaco Day at the 2010 World’s Fair in Shanghai, China, the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque’s Honorary President H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco bestowed the honorary title of Circus Ambassador on Madame Xia Juhua, outgoing President of the Chinese Acrobatics Association (CAA). Ambassador Xia accepted the award at a gala dinner hosted by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and attended by Chinese dignitaries. The gala dinner followed a day of circus performances and exhibitions at the Exposition Site on 7 October 2010.
The theme of Circus as Monaco’s special contribution to this year’s World’s Fair was selected by H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco. China is home to world renowned acrobatic troupes and artists featured in circuses around the world, including their many performances at the annual Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo, recognized as the world’s premiere circus competition that was begun by Prince Rainier III in 1974 and successfully continues under the presidency of H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco.
Ambassador Xia is one of China’s most acclaimed contortion and balancing artists, known as the “Empress of Acrobatics.” She became the symbol of Chinese acrobatics due to her outstanding and innovative balancing routines with Pagoda bowls. In 1981, she helped establish the Chinese Acrobatics Association (CAA), a national association for acrobats. Under her leadership, the CAA has played a pivotal role in advancing the art of Chinese acrobatics and gaining worldwide recognition of the highly talented Chinese acrobats. Ambassador Xia will retire from the CAA later this year.
During her acceptance speech, Ambassador Xia announced the intention of the Chinese Acrobatics Association to become a member of the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque in the near future, joining the six founding members: the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo, the European Circus Association, the Outdoor Amusement Business Association in the United States, the Circus Federation of Australia, the Animal Interest Alliance of South Africa, and the Canadian organization En Piste.
The Fédération Mondiale du Cirque is a non-profit organisation founded in 2008 under the patronage of H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco for the preservation and promotion of circus arts and culture and is headquartered in Monte-Carlo.