Press releases

MINSK, 23 January (BelTA) – A Belarusian Alexei Vasilkov participating in a teeterboard acrobatic act won a Golden Clown award at the 41st International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo, head of the Zapashny Brothers’ Circus in Moscow, People's Artist of Russia Edgard Zapashny told BelTA.

Alexei Vasilkov is a world class master in tumbling and an artist of the Zapashny Brothers’ Circus. The Gomel-born acrobat had the honor to carry the Belarusian flag at the opening ceremony of the 41st International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo.

The other performance of the Zapashny Brothers’ Circus, a famous mixed tiger-lion act, won a Silver Clown award. The act involves a lion named John who was a model for four bronze lion statues decorating an automobile bridge in Mogilev.

Members of the Monaco royal family — Princess Stephanie and Prince Albert II of Monaco — attended the festival for two days.

“A great number of people supported us these days. The support of both ordinary and famous Belarusians all over world was especially important for us. Circus unites people of different backgrounds, it is an art without borders, and this year proves it again. Neither thousands of kilometers, nor different continents were the obstacles for feeling the power of unity and support,” Edgard Zapashny said.

The score of the 41st International Circus Festival in Monte-Carlo became known last night. The Fontvieille Big Top gathered more than 100 renowned circus artists from 17 countries for the four days of the circus festival.

The award ceremony of the festival will take place on 24 January.