Princess Stephanie and her daughter Pauline were among those applauding enthusiastically on Tuesday night, as the Monaco International Circus Festival drew to a close in Monte Carlo. The 38-year-old royal was accompanied to the closing ceremony by her new husband Adans Lopez Peres, who has himself competed in the festival, and her brother Prince Albert.
It was the daring acrobats of The Flying Tabares, well-known for their performances stateside with The Greatest Show On Earth, who eventually took the prestigious Golden Clown trophy. The Argentine trapeze artists shared the first prize with an equally impressive troupe from Beijing.
And their Russian counterparts were also recognised, thanks in part to a jaw-dropping "salto-mortale" stunt. “The trick is very dangerous. It requires both superb skill and courage. It could even be called a heroic deed,” said festival organiser Alain Frair. For their efforts, the performers from the Moscow Circus took home the Silver Clown gong. “The circus art is on the rise in Russia, which is being convincingly demonstrated by Russian circus artists at the Monaco festival,” said their proud boss Maxim Nikulin.
Perhaps the only sad note to this year's festival was the notable absence of its founder, Prince Rainier. The fact that he was unable to attend the performances has fuelled concerns over the 80-year-old's health.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
