Special circus programme honours female artists

Artists Hồng Thúy and Phạm Hướng in their “Đu Son” (Red Swing) performance. Photo courtesy of Việt Nam Circus Federation

Director of VCF, Tống Toàn Thắng, said the programme, Những Cánh Hồng Bay 2 (Flying Roses 2) will offer performances by artists who have won national and international awards.

With the theme Công Chúa Xiếc (Circus Princess), the event aims to honour outstanding achievements and contributions of female artists to the development of Vietnamese circus art, the VCF director said at an annual conference held this week in Hà Nội.

At the conference, the VCF announced a one-year plan with high-quality professional art products including nearly 20 performance programmes scheduled to take place in 2023.

The plan promises to offer a series of shows with diverse topics to serve many different audiences such as the above-mentioned Những Cánh Hồng Bay 2 – Công Chúa Xiếc from March 4 to March 8; a programme to mark the founding of the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union on March 25-March 26; the 5th Gala Xiếc ba miền (Tri-regional Circus Gala) between April 29 and May 2; and a special programme for children between May 26 and June 4.

Speaking at the conference, Thắng said all activities of the VCF in the past two years had been seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The VCF's annual conference in 2022 was cancelled so this year it planned to organise many shows earlier than usual, according to the official.

After the success of the first Flying Roses 1 in 2019, the VCF wishes to continue the programme every year because it said "this is a very meaningful playground for female circus artists to meet, exchange and shine on the stage," proving to the audience their talents and beauty through performances.

Flying Roses 2 is a general entertainment art event consisting of singers, dance troupes, and circus actresses who have been very successful on the circus stage in all genres, according to the VCF.

Artists win global respect

Circus artists Giang Quốc Cơ and Giang Quốc Nghiệp perform their world record act in Milan, Italy, on February 3. – VNA/VNS Photo

With their love for the circus, tireless efforts, and unceasing creativity, many artists of Việt Nam have made their names known around the world.

In early February, Giang Quốc Cơ and his younger brother Giang Quốc Nghiệp set a new world record by performing a head-to-head balancing act blindfolded in Milan, Italy.

They walked a 40cm-wide and 10m-long surface and climbed up and down 10 steps in 1 minute and 55 seconds. That has made the duo the only one from Viet Nam to hold four world records.

Earlier, the two were assisted by the HCM City circus troupe, now the Phuong Nam Arts Theatre, to take part in many international competitions in countries such as China, Italy, and Cuba and won many prizes.

They said those events were wonderful chances for them to learn from international artists, realise their weaknesses to improve their skills, and impress major circus troupes around the world, Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) newspaper reported.

As a result, the brothers have been invited to perform in many countries like the US, Spain, and Germany.

Aside from the pair, other artists have also been applying themselves to the circus and gained achievements.

Late last year, the VCF won two awards at competitions in Russia.

Hồng Thúy and Phạm Hướng won a gold prize for their “Đu Son” (Red Swing) performance at the Circus Princess festival, which attracted more than 100 female artists from 10 countries.

Notably, there were only two gold prizes at the contest, and the other went to a Russian artist.

Meanwhile, Chu Khánh Huyền won a bronze award at the "Without Borders” international circus festival in Russia in November 2022. The event drew the participation of more than 120 artists from 15 countries and featured two gold prizes, three silvers, and four bronzes.

The VCF director said artists have kept training even amid the COVID-19 pandemic to keep their skills up to scratch.

He said Vietnamese artists can gain more international prizes if they receive more investment, expressing his hope for stronger assistance from state agencies so that artists can take part in international festivals and competitions.