#China #Hengqin #Chimelong Group #Circus Festival

The 8th China International Circus Festival: A Celebration of Global Circus Arts

From November 1 to 8, 2025, the Chimelong Kaka Theater in Hengqin, Guangdong, hosted the esteemed 8th China International Circus Festival. Organized by the People's Government of Guangdong Province along with the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and Guangdong Chimelong Group, this festival brought together 18 outstanding circus troupes and over 500 talented artists from across the globe. The overarching theme for this year’s festivities, "Circus of the World, Gather in Hengqin," emphasized a celebration of cultural exchange and artistic collaboration through the captivating medium of circus performance.

Among the featured participants were top performers from nations such as Russia, the United States, Mexico, Mongolia, and China, enhancing the event with their unique styles and artistic expressions. The performances incorporated a diverse range of circus arts, including breathtaking acrobatics, whimsical clowning, captivating dance, and mesmerizing magic acts, delivering an experience that promised to enchant audiences and foster an appreciation for global artistry.

Notable performances included award-winning acts acclaimed at international circus festivals, providing spectators with an immersive exploration of different cultures and traditions through the lens of circus artistry. As Urs Pilz, President of the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque, aptly stated, "Circus is international by nature—it transcends borders and connects different peoples." His remarks highlight the festival's role as a significant platform for artistic exchange, as well as China’s notable achievements in the global circus community, having earned more top honors at the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival than any other country.

Su Zhigang, Chairman of the Chimelong Group, expressed the organization's commitment to blending traditional Chinese acrobatics with European circus aesthetics. This cultural fusion has adorned this year’s festival, presenting performances that are not only technically impeccable but also rich in storytelling and theatrical flair. The festival encapsulated the spirit of collaboration between international circus artists and their Chinese counterparts, emphasizing its central theme: "Global Circus Arts Converge in Hengqin."

Chimelong has been a pioneer in showcasing world-class circus performances for nearly three decades. Their events have continually evolved—balancing respect for traditional forms while pursuing innovative approaches to performance art. Notably, the Chimelong Show, which won the 31st TEA Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Spectacle Show category, exemplifies their dedication to high-quality cultural and entertainment programming.

The festival’s closing ceremony marked a significant milestone in diplomatic relations, as H.E. Marie-Pascale Boisson, Ambassador of Monaco to China, highlighted the special connection between the circus arts of both nations. With the year 2025 signifying the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Monaco and China, the Ambassador emphasized the potential for future collaborations aimed at promoting contemporary circus arts on a global scale.

With the successful completion of its 8th iteration, the China International Circus Festival is poised to continue enriching the global circus culture from its home in Hengqin. The festival seeks to engage an international audience with a unique Chinese perspective, fostering creativity, openness, and mutual understanding in the realm of circus arts. Looking ahead, it aims to support the cultural development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area while showcasing the vibrancy and dynamism inherent in global artistic traditions.

Through its rich programming and engaging performances, the 8th China International Circus Festival not only entertained but also underscored the universal language of art, uniting cultures and communities through the joy and wonder that circus brings to our world.