#China #Hengqin #Chimelong Group #China Circus

8th China International Circus Festival: A Grand Celebration of Circus Arts

The 8th China International Circus Festival was held at the Chimelong Kaka Theater in Hengqin, Guangdong from November 1 to 8, 2025. Organized by the People's Government of Guangdong Province alongside the Executive Committee of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone, this remarkable event brought together 18 renowned circus companies and over 500 performers from around the globe. Under the theme "The World Circus Gathers in Hengqin," the festival served as a vibrant celebration of the performing arts, promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding across languages and traditions.

This year’s festival featured outstanding performances by celebrated circus artists hailing from Russia, the United States, Mexico, Mongolia, and various other regions. The showcased productions spanned a diverse array of artistic disciplines, including acrobatics, dance, clowning, and magic, each allowing audiences to enjoy the unique cultural styles and creative diversities from different nations. Notably, several performances were also awarded gold medals at prestigious international circus competitions, providing audiences with a deeply immersive experience that highlighted the timeless allure of circus art.

Urs Pilz, president of the World Circus Federation and vice president of the Monte Carlo Circus Festival, remarked, "Circus is inherently international, transcending borders and connecting various peoples." He pointed out that China has garnered more awards at the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival than any other country. Both the Monte Carlo and China International Circus Festivals stand among the foremost circus events worldwide. Additionally, Pilz praised the artistic developments of Chimelong, noting that its productions consistently set new standards and have gained international recognition.

Su Zhigang, president of the Chimelong Group and co-organizer of the festival, elaborated on Chimelong's commitment to blending the precise and deep-rooted techniques of Chinese acrobatics with the visual aesthetics and humor intrinsic to European circus traditions. This intercultural fusion culminated in a series of technically impressive and highly coordinated performances during this year’s festival, delivering audiences an unforgettable experience. These dazzling acts from around the world reflect the vibrant exchange between Chinese and international circus arts in Hengqin. They encapsulate not just artistic collaboration but also serve as a vivid expression of the festival's core message: "Global Circus Arts Converge in Hengqin."

For over 28 years, Chimelong has unified world-class circus arts under one roof. Through continuous evolution, its productions uphold traditional forms while pursuing innovation, maintaining and surpassing excellence. From its inaugural International Circus Gala, featuring the best circus acts globally, to "Magic Legend," the world’s first large-scale situational circus, and its enhanced version, Magic Legend III, as well as the award-winning Chimelong Show, which recently received the 31st TEA Thea Award for Excellence, Chimelong offers year-round performances reflecting the organization’s long-standing commitment to quality cultural and entertainment programming.

Marie-Pascale Boisson, the Ambassador of Monaco to China, expressed her gratitude after attending the Chimelong show, highlighting that circus arts are a special and important bond between Monaco and China. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations in 2025, the Ambassador conveyed her desire to continue collaborating with the Chimelong Group to contribute to the development of contemporary circus art globally.

Following the successful conclusion of its eighth edition, the China International Circus Festival will continue to invigorate the global circus culture from its home in Hengqin. With an ethos of openness, trust, and creativity, the festival aspires to share a unique Chinese perspective with the international community while supporting the cultural development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.