More than 200 acrobats and 60 magicians will show off their enchanting daring stunts during the Eighth China Wuqiao International Acrobatics Festival, scheduled for October 27 to November 4 in Shijiazhuang, capital of North China's Hebei Province.

The event is a contest to see who will come away with the Golden Lion Prize.

Wuqiao, known as the cradle of Chinese acrobatics, hosted the First Wuqiao International Acrobatics Festival in 1987. Since then, performers from more than 30 nations and regions have attended.

The festival is reportedly just as famous as the Monte Carlo Circus Festival and the Paris International Circus Festival. The Golden Lion is one of the most prestigious awards given in the acrobatic world.

Magicians are a new addition to the festival. Twelve of the 38 programmes will be magic-related.

Eighteen acrobatic acts and eight magic programmes will be performed by foreign artists.

Fifteen judges make up the jury, including Maxim Nukulin, president of the Russia Nukulin Circus Troupe, celebrated Canadian acrobat Peter Reveen, Franz Czqisler, president of Tihany Circus of Brazil, Bian Faji, vice-chairman of the Chinese Acrobats Association and Wang Kaifu, president of the Black Hat Magic Association of Taiwan.

Bian said the festival will feature the "novel, magical, dangerous, beautiful and humorous."

"Everything is fresh and new," he said. "Many high-tech innovations have changed this aged art form."

Some foreign magicians use technology and stage props quite well, too. Two acts, "Illusion City" from Canada and "Magical Colourful Bubbles" from the United States, are notable examples.

The degree of difficulty keeps on rising, too. Many acrobats say they have new, breathtaking stunts in store.

Acrobats from Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea who are well-known for their stunt performances still hold advantages in this field.

Colombia acrobats are also known for their daring.

Acrobatic shows today use lights, stage settings, music and costumes to convey elegance and beauty. And they employ more and more humour, particularly by using chimpanzees, horses, lions and tigers.

The World Circus Forum, a major side attraction of the festival, will focus on the future of the circus. Celebrities, acrobats and scholars are expected to exchange ideas.

In addition, the festival offers lessons on the history of Chinese acrobatics and such folk art forms as scissor cuttings.

( China Daily 10/18/2001)