8th China International Circus Festival Showcases Global Talent in Hengqin
From November 1st to 8th, 2025, the 8th China International Circus Festival dazzled audiences at the Chimelong Kaka Theater in Hengqin, Guangdong. Organized by the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Chimelong Group, this year's festival featured 18 world-class circus troupes and over 500 artists from various countries, all coming together under the theme "Circus of the World, Gather in Hengqin." The event celebrated not only the art of performance but also the cultural exchanges that bridge languages and traditions.
The diverse program brought together leading circus artists from the United States, Russia, Mexico, Mongolia, and of course, China. The performances spanned a wide range of artistic disciplines, including acrobatics, clowning, dance, and magic, all infused with unique regional flair and a creative variety that captivated audiences. Among the highlights were numerous gold medal-winning acts from international circus competitions, each offering an immersive experience into the enchanting world of circus arts.
Urs Pilz, President of the World Circus Federation, remarked, "Circus is inherently international; it transcends boundaries and connects people." He noted that China has received more awards at the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival than any other nation, establishing the significance of both the Monte-Carlo and Chinese festivals as leading global circus events. He also commended the artistic development at Chimelong, recognizing how its productions consistently push creative boundaries and have garnered international acclaim.
Su Zhigang, the President of the Chimelong Group and co-organizer of the festival, emphasized the commitment to blending the depth and precision of Chinese acrobatics with the aesthetics and humor inherent in European circus traditions. This rich intercultural fusion resulted in a series of technically skilled and well-coordinated performances, allowing audiences to enjoy a seamless and memorable experience. These stunning displays served not only as an artistic collaboration but also as a vibrant expression of the festival's central theme: "Global Circus Arts Converge at Hengqin."
For 28 years, Chimelong has provided a platform for world-class circus artists, consistently evolving while staying true to traditional forms and pursuing innovation. Since its inaugural International Circus Gala, which showcased the best circus acts worldwide, through to the groundbreaking large-scale situational circus, "Magic Legend" and its enhanced version, "Magic Legend III," as well as the award-winning "Chimelong Show" which won the 31st TEA Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement, Chimelong continues to offer high-quality cultural entertainment year-round. Guided by Su Zhigang's principle of striving for the highest standards, Chimelong's circus empire has been built from the ground up with a strong dedication to excellence.
The Ambassador of Monaco to China, H.E. Marie-Pascale Boisson, shared her appreciation after attending the Chimelong show, emphasizing that circus arts create a crucial cultural link between Monaco and China. With 2025 marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, she expressed her eagerness to collaborate further with Chimelong to progress the future of contemporary circus arts worldwide.
Following the successful conclusion of this year's festival, the China International Circus Festival is poised to continue enhancing the vitality of global circus culture from its stronghold in Hengqin. With an open, trusting, and creatively spirited ethos, the festival aims to communicate a distinctive Chinese perspective to the international community while supporting the cultural development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The diverse program brought together leading circus artists from the United States, Russia, Mexico, Mongolia, and of course, China. The performances spanned a wide range of artistic disciplines, including acrobatics, clowning, dance, and magic, all infused with unique regional flair and a creative variety that captivated audiences. Among the highlights were numerous gold medal-winning acts from international circus competitions, each offering an immersive experience into the enchanting world of circus arts.
Urs Pilz, President of the World Circus Federation, remarked, "Circus is inherently international; it transcends boundaries and connects people." He noted that China has received more awards at the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival than any other nation, establishing the significance of both the Monte-Carlo and Chinese festivals as leading global circus events. He also commended the artistic development at Chimelong, recognizing how its productions consistently push creative boundaries and have garnered international acclaim.
Su Zhigang, the President of the Chimelong Group and co-organizer of the festival, emphasized the commitment to blending the depth and precision of Chinese acrobatics with the aesthetics and humor inherent in European circus traditions. This rich intercultural fusion resulted in a series of technically skilled and well-coordinated performances, allowing audiences to enjoy a seamless and memorable experience. These stunning displays served not only as an artistic collaboration but also as a vibrant expression of the festival's central theme: "Global Circus Arts Converge at Hengqin."
For 28 years, Chimelong has provided a platform for world-class circus artists, consistently evolving while staying true to traditional forms and pursuing innovation. Since its inaugural International Circus Gala, which showcased the best circus acts worldwide, through to the groundbreaking large-scale situational circus, "Magic Legend" and its enhanced version, "Magic Legend III," as well as the award-winning "Chimelong Show" which won the 31st TEA Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement, Chimelong continues to offer high-quality cultural entertainment year-round. Guided by Su Zhigang's principle of striving for the highest standards, Chimelong's circus empire has been built from the ground up with a strong dedication to excellence.
The Ambassador of Monaco to China, H.E. Marie-Pascale Boisson, shared her appreciation after attending the Chimelong show, emphasizing that circus arts create a crucial cultural link between Monaco and China. With 2025 marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, she expressed her eagerness to collaborate further with Chimelong to progress the future of contemporary circus arts worldwide.
Following the successful conclusion of this year's festival, the China International Circus Festival is poised to continue enhancing the vitality of global circus culture from its stronghold in Hengqin. With an open, trusting, and creatively spirited ethos, the festival aims to communicate a distinctive Chinese perspective to the international community while supporting the cultural development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Topics Entertainment & Media）
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