An aerial lotus performance directed by People's Artist Tống Toàn Thắng.

HÀ NỘI — A breath-taking acrobatic performance by a duo of Hungarian circus artists was among stunning acts that concluded the International Circus Festival 2019 on Sunday.

The one-week event was jointly organised by the Performing Arts Department, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Hà Nội’s Department of Culture and Sports, the Vietnam Stage Artists’ Association, the Vietnam Circus Federation and other relevant organisations.

Showcasing their skills at the festival were 13 arts troupes from nine countries, including Australia, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Egypt, Hungary, Laos, Singapore and Việt Nam as the host.

Addressing at the closing ceremony, Tạ Quang Đông, deputy minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, celebrated the success of the festival.

“The acts by international and domestic artists showcased creativity, skill and the cultural features of each nation, promoting values of mutual respect and understanding about each other’s spiritual and cultural life, as well as manners and customs,” he said.

According to Tạ Duy Ánh, chairman of the arts council of the festival, the quality of this year’s festival improved dramatically, with many young artists performing a variety of acts in acrobatics, juggling, tightrope walking and magic.

“The techniques and artistic elements of each act as well as the artists’ skills have been elevated. However, some performances still lack creativity and technique, so did not demonstrate the artists’ skills,” Ánh said.

The organising board also awarded gold and silver medals to outstanding creative acts as well as certificates of merit for each participating troupe.

The best acts received medals at the International Circus Festival 2019.

The International Circus Festival was held at the Hanoi Central Circus located on 67-69 Lê Đại Hành Street between October 15-20.

On each day, all 1,200 seats of the circus were filled, with children making up a large proportion of viewers.

“I like the show with the cats most,” said 6-year-old Ngô Minh Đức from Hà Nội. “The cats were very cute. I was also impressed with the acrobatics. Though they were up high, they still kept smiling and dancing with the music.”

On October 19, 150 domestic and international circus artists also entertained people in the capital by performing on the pedestrian streets around Hoàn Kiếm Lake, which attracted thousands of residents and tourists.

The organising board also organised two nights at Việt Nam Circus Arts and Vaudeville Secondary school located in Cầu Giấy District on October 18-19.

Celebrated every three years, the International Circus Festival aims to promote co-operation in culture and arts between Việt Nam and other countries.

The next festival is expected to take place in 2022. — VNS

An acrobatic performance by a Hungarian duo at the International Circus Festival 2019. — Photos courtesy of the organising board