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Death-Defying Acrobat breaks World Record at International Circus Festival!

The International Circus Festival de Monte-Carlo is back! After 2 years of postponement due to the pandemic, the 45th edition of the festival and the 10th edition of New Generation Competition kicked off in the presence of HSH Princess Stephanie, HSH Prince Albert II, Louis and Marie Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille on 20 January.

International Circus Festival
The 45th edition of the festival and the 10th edition of New Generation Competition kicked off in the presence of HSH Princess Stephanie, HSH Prince Albert II, Louis and Marie Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille on 20 January. © Direction de la Communication
International Circus Festival
The 45th edition of the festival and the 10th edition of New Generation Competition kicked off in the presence of HSH Princess Stephanie, HSH Prince Albert II, Louis and Marie Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille on 20 January. © Direction de la Communication

Unicyclist Wesley Williams breaks World Record on opening night!

The festival started with a bang when death-defying acrobat Wesley Williams broke a world-record during the first evening of the Festival when he pedalled around the big top on a 10.6 metre tall unicycle!

International Circus Festival
© Direction de la Communication

“This moment means more than words could ever describe. A lifetime dream. Full standing ovation. Thank you to each and every one of you that has helped me along the way in this journey to the world’s stage,” said Wesley Williams on instagram.

The One Wheeled Wonder is known for his incredibly daring feats of balance on shows like Britain’s Got Talent and Got Talent Global.

International Circus Festival
© Direction de la Communication
International Circus Festival
© Direction de la Communication

Princess Stephanie, Louis Ducruet, Charlotte Casiraghi and her son Raphaël Elmaleh attended the festival’s 2nd day on Saturday 21 January.

International Circus Festival
The 45th edition of the festival and the 10th edition of New Generation Competition kicked off in the presence of HSH Princess Stephanie, HSH Prince Albert II, Louis and Marie Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille on 20 January. © Direction de la Communication

On Sunday 22 January, Christian Estrosi, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur and Mayor of Nice came to enjoy the festival with his entire family.

More awe and wonder is in store for audiences during the rest of the festival, with acts like renowned illusionist Peter Marvey, The Black Blues Brothers and Monaco’s own Orchestre des Carabiniers, who will perform on Tuesday during the Gala evening.

In 1974, Prince Rainier III of Monaco, who was passionate about the circus, decided to create a Festival to support traditional circus families and the 1st Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo was born. Today, the festival is presided over by HSH Princess Stephanie and is known as the “greatest circus in the world”.

Every year, Princess Stephanie is very involved in the organization of the festival, selecting the best international acts for audiences in Monaco.

International Circus Festival
© Direction de la Communication

The Coveted Gold, Silver and Bronze Clowns presented at the 45th International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo

The jury of circus professionals, specialists and journalists, under the chairmanship of Princess Stephanie has made its decision for the best circus acts, including awarding the coveted Golden Clown (Clown d’or), Silver Clown (Clown d’argent) and Bronze Clown (Clown de bronze), in the form of statuettes to 2023’s heros.

René Casselly Jr who performs with his two partners Merrylu Casselly and Quincy Azzario, took the Golden Clown this year. Add here the horses of course…because what is uniquely thrilling about their act is the acrobatics propelled off the backs of their equine friends. The wow factor that amazed the jury was a double back somersault powered and in synchrony with the horses.
As for the New Generation competition, Ameli Bilyk took the Junior Gold. The 19-year-old Ukrainian tightrope artist performed on the “soft wire”, a particularly demanding circus discipline which requires athleticism and absolutely perfect balance.
There’s only one gold but so much talent that the jury also awarded six Silver Clowns respectively to the trapeze troupe Flying Martini, the acrobatic troupe Mustafa Danguir for their acrobatics on a giant wheel, the tightrope walker Viktoriia Dziuba who plays with the makes the human body do things that amaze. Rounding out the Silver Clowns were the couple performing on the aerial hoop with the enchanting name Secret of my soul, the horse trainer Alex Giona and the young tiger trainer Bruno Togni.
It seems that extraordinary talent is passed down almost by magic through these great circus families. Take Flavio Togni who is the most awarded artist in the history of the Festival. Now his son shines. Added to his Silver Clown, Bruno Togni also swooped up four special prizes including that from the junior jury and the public.
Two New Generation juniors Vladislava Naraieva and contortionist Sofia Hrechko also crowned themselves with Silver.
Another four clowns were needed to award the depth of talent – this time Bronze. They included the Bingo troupe with Pauline Ducruet also netting a special prize for the Best costume of the troupe. The three other Bronzes included the Mystery of Gentlemen troupe, a knife throwing spectacular by the couple named Deadly Games and Elisa Cussadie and her parrots. One particularly beautiful blue parrot had distinguished itself by standing on Princess Stephanie’s shoulder the day before the Circus Festival began.
Notably from the New Generation juniors Kimberly Zavatta received a junior bronze for her performance on aerial straps.
Young artists have always been revered and encouraged in Monte Carlo and Pauline Ducruet did the honours for tradition on this occasion by presenting Sofiia Hrechko with a cup in memory of Princess Antoinette, which rewards the very youngest artist of the festival.
The complete list of special prizes, too many to mention here, is on the Monaco Government site of which we mention, just as an example, one special award by Société des Bains de Mer to the Swiss magician, Peter Marvey.
  • Golden Clown (Clown d’or) René Casselly Jr avec Merrylu Casselly and Quincy Azzario.
  • Junior Golden Clown – Ameli Bilyk.
  • Silver Clown (Clown d’argent) – Flying Martini, Troupe Mustafa Danguir, Viktoriia Dziuba, Secret of my soul, Alex Giona, Bruno Togni.
  • Junior Silver Clown -Vladislava Naraieva, Sofiia Hrechko.
  • Bronze Clown (Clown de bronze) – Circus Theatre – Troupe Bingo – Equilibrist pictures, Mistery of Gentlemen, Deadly Games, Elisa Cussadie.
  • Junior Bronze Clown – Kimberly Zavatta.

Looking back over 40 years, recipients of the festival’s prestigious Clown d’or award have included Spanish clown Charlie Rivel in 1974, American daredevil and trapeze artist Elvin Bale two years later, Russian clown Oleg Popov and as recently as 2019 English animal trainer Martin Lacey Jr.

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