HCM CITY—  The third National Magic Festival 2018 will open in HCM City on Saturday.

The event is organised by the Việt Nam Theatre Artists Association in co-operation with its partner, the HCM City Department of Culture & Sports.

It is expected to attract dozens of veteran and young magicians from 16 State-owned and private art troupes across the country.

About 40 performances of different magic styles will be staged during the two-day event. 

“Circus artists and magicians in particular find it hard to attract crowds. Our festival will help them develop their art,” said People’s Artist Lê Tiến Thọ, chairman of Việt Nam Theatre Artists Association, who is also a member of the festival’s organising board.

Last year, the HCM City Magic Club opened, and since then, has attracted more than 40 magicians, most of whom work for traditional art theatres and circus troupes.

The club, which is part of the HCM City Centre of Labour Culture, includes famous magicians such as Trần Dũng, Linh Sang, Alibaba Ngô Đức Duy.

It offers training for children and teenagers, while poor students and children from open houses and shelters receive free courses. It also organises shows at weekend.

"For only a 15-minute performance on stage, we have to sometimes spend more than two years practicing the circus routine," said Alibaba Ngô Đức Duy, a member of the club.

Duy began his career at 17 and has won several prizes at local and international circus festivals.

“The tastes of Vietnamese youth now are Facebook, video games and cinemas, as well as karaoke clubs, bars and dance halls. Circuses with acrobats and clowns and magic shows have taken a back seat,” said Duy, adding that he will introduce his art at the festival.

The National Magic Festival 2018 will open on October 13 at the HCM City Opera House, 7 Lam Sơn Square, District 1. — VNS