A well-known circus festival was opened Saturday in this capital of north China's Hebei Province, attracting 326 acrobats from 16 countries.

The performers from Russia, France, the United States, Germany, Hungary, Vietnam, Switzerland, Spain and other countries will present 30 performances during the 10th China Wuqiao International Circus Festival which will last for nine days.

Better known as "oriental acrobatic arena," the event was originated in 1987 and is held every other year. Taking friendship, exchange, prosperity and development as its theme, the festival this year is co-organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Hebei provincial government.

The festival broke a record this year in terms of the number of participating countries and performances, according to the organizing committee.

The repertoires to be on show boast different cultural backgrounds and  national styles, contain various acrobatic skills and highlight the characteristics of the circus art, said Bian Faji, chairman of the judging committee of the event.

Eight international judges, including Urs Pilz, artistic director of Festival International du Circus de Monte Carlo, are invited to assess the circus acts along with three Chinese judges.

A photo exhibition featuring the world's three famous circus events of the Festival International du Circus de Monte Carlo, Festival Mondial du Circus de Demain and the Wuqiao festival is set to be held during the festival.

(Xinhua News Agency October, 31, 2005)