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[[File:Gold_Clown.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The original version of the Gold Clown Award]]
''By Dominique Jando''

==Monte Carlo, Circus Capital of the World==

The Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo (International Circus Festival de Monte-Carlo) was created in 1974 by H.S.H. the Prince Rainier III of Monaco (1923-2005) to promote circus arts&mdash;for which he had a lifelong passion. The first Festival was held from December 26 to 30, 1974 under the big top of the French circus [[The Bouglione Family|Bouglione]], installed on what was then the Esplanade de Fontvielle, a vast, rather empty landfill at the foot of the Prince's palace, which had been reclaimed from the sea. 

In the foreword he wrote for the program, Prince Rainier said, "This International Circus Festival was created thinking of the circus community, of this family of underestimated people, so that you, attentive spectators of their efforts and of their work, could know them better, and celebrate them better." It was the first true circus festival ever presented in the Western world. 

During the Festival, a selection of some of the best circus acts in the business are presented twice to a paying audience and a Jury of circus professionals, journalists, and specialists&mdash;presided until 2005 by the late Prince Rainier III, and since 2006, by his daughter, S.A.S. Princess Stéphanie of Monaco. The Jury awards Gold and Silver Clowns, and since 2002, a Bronze Clown, in the form of statuettes originally sculpted by Paule Malé. Other prizes and trophies are awarded by the City of Monaco, and various corporations, press organizations, associations, and individuals. 

The Festival presents about 25 acts each year, in two different sets of performances. The awards are presented during a closing Gala performance attended by the Prince of Monaco, and his family and guests. Traditionally, the Prince also attends every selection performance. The first Gold Clowns, which in time became the equivalent of an Oscar&reg; to the circus world, were awarded to [[Alfred Court]], in tribute to his exceptional career, and to [[Charlie Rivel]]. (See [http://www.montecarlofestival.mc/palmares/ Gold, Silver, and Bronze Clown list].)

In 1975, the Festival was presented under the big top of the Italian circus, [[Liana Orfei|Nando, Liana e Rinaldo Orfei]], and from 1975 to 1994, under the big top of another Italian Circus, [[The Togni Family|Circo Americano-Togni]]. Since 1995, it has been held under a large, sedentary circus structure permanently installed on the same location, in what is now the Quartier Fontvielle, in Monaco.

In 2006, the Festival staged an extraordinary tribute to Prince Rainier III of Monaco (who had passed away the previous year), with a five-hour show that gathered the greatest assemblage of Gold and Silver Medalists ever seen (some of them performing simultaneously, like the amazing juggling duet formed by [[Kris Kremo]] and [[Anthony Gatto]], or [[Oleg Izossimov]] sharing the ring with [[The Rodions]] and [[Wei Baohua & Wu Zheng]]). It was probably the greatest circus performance ever produced. A similar gala was presented in 2016 for the Festival's 40th anniversary.

The International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo is now held each year in mid-January. Presided by S.A.S. The Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, it remains today, without a doubt, the most important circus manifestation in the world, and it has become the annual rendezvous of the international circus community and of a large international audience of circus enthusiasts.

==Suggested Reading==

* Pierre Paret, ''Monte-Carlo ou la Renaissance du Cirque'' (Sorvilier, Editions de la Gardine, 1985) ISBN 2-88200-001-4
* Charles W. Scott, ''Le Cirque'' (Rennes, Editions Ouest-France, 1995) ISBN 2-7373-1872-6
* ''40 Ans de Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo'' (Nice, Ramel Communications, 2016) ISBN 978-2-9555379-0-9

==See Also==

* Video: [[Monte_Carlo_Video_(2016)|Excerpts 40th Anniversary Gala]] (2016)

==External Links==

* [http://www.montecarlofestivals.com/ www.montecarlofestivals.com]

==Image Gallery==

<Gallery>
File:Rainier_III_of_Monaco.jpg|Prince Rainier III
File:Gold_Clown.jpg|The original Gold Clown Award
File:Cavarettas_in_Monte-Carlo.jpg|The Flying Cavarettas and Cary Grant (1984)
File:Monte_Carlo_Festival_(2011).jpeg|Princess Stéphanie and Prince Albert III of Monaco (2011)
File:Monte_Carlo_40.jpg|Princess Stéphanie and the cast of the 40th Festival's Anniversary Gala (2016)
File:Monte_Carlo_2017.jpeg|Poster for the 2017 Festival
File:Monte_Carlo_Chapiteau.jpeg|The Big Top on Esplanade Fonvielle (2018)
File:Monte_Carlo_Festival_2020.jpeg|Poster for the 2020 Festival
File:Prince_au_Coeur_du_Cirque.jpg|Poster for the special exhibition ''Le Prince au Coeur du Cirque'' (2023)
</Gallery>

[[Category:Festivals|Monte-Carlo, International Circus Festival of]]

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