The New Year is always a happy one in Monaco as January brings the circus to town to delight the children of Monaco and neighbouring France and Italy. 

The late Prince Rainier II of Monaco, who was a lover of animals and the circus, founded Monaco’s International Circus Festival in 1974 to promote the art of the circus and create a Cirque Sans Frontieres. Circus artists from around the world were chosen by him personally from those recommended by the committee, to take part and compete for the Clown d’Or awards, which are highly prized by artists as the Oscar of the circus world. The event is held in a permanent circus tent near the sports stadium, with space in the surrounding park for the animals and caravans of the performers. He also established a European Circus Association to defend the rights of the circus and establish regulations regarding the treatment of animals. 

The first known circus was in London in 1769 and circus shows have been popular with children and adults worldwide ever since. Monaco’s festival opens the circus season and artists have not yet begun their annual tour so, if chosen, they are available to take part in what has become the Mecca for all circus performers. After the festival, would-be stars of the future compete with other young talented performers from the world’s circus schools in a junior festival for young circus performers, with its own awards, Premier Rampe. Local schoolchildren are invited to performances and to meet with the young artists at the event, which is so popular that there are plans to establish a circus school in the area.

In celebration of the 30^th edition of the festival in January 2006 and as a tribute to his father, Prince Albert decided that instead of the usual competition, internationally famous artists such as the 75 year old Russian clown, Popov, and Fredy Knie with his beautiful Arabian horses were invited to a gala performance under the presidency of Princess Stephanie, who worked with her father for many years to ensure the success of the festival.

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