International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo (Established 1974)
Dates
- Existence: Established 1974
Biography
The International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo was established in 1974 by Prince Rainier III of Monaco to recognize and promote circus performers. The festival is held in January every year in Monaco's Fontvieille district.
During the festival, circus acts from around the world are judged by a selected number of circus professionals, specialists and journalists. The awards, called Palmarès, are presented during a closing gala performance.
The current festival’s President is Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, who took over the role after her father’s death in 2006.
Past recipients of the festival's prestigious Clown d'or award have included Spanish clown Charlie Rivel (1974), American daredevil and trapeze artist Elvin Bale (1976), Russian clown Oleg Popov (1981), Italian clown David Larible (1999), American juggler Anthony Gatto (2000), French circus director Alexis Grüss (1975 and 2001), American clown Bello Nock (2011), Russian teeterboard act the Trushin Troupe (2017), Hungarian animal trainers Merrylu and Jozsef Richter (2018) and English animal trainer Martin Lacey Jr. (2010 and 2019).
Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:
Circus Friends Association Collection
This collection consists of a large library of books and journals, as well as archival material including posters, programmes, photographs, films, handbills, research material, scrapbooks, original artwork and many other items of ephemera relating to British, Irish and European circuses
Films, 1927 - 2007
Compilation of circus films showing acts on the ring as well as interviews with performers and proprietors, mainly produced by tv companies in the UK and Europe. Many of them narrated in German.
Programmes, c1800 - 2019
A collection of mainly British and international circus programmes and some variety and music hall programmes containing circus acts.