After 10 days of exciting performances and competition, global acrobats have bid farewell to the ninth China Wuqiao International Circus Festival. The curtain closed on the event on Nov.9.

The winners were the "Aerial Flying Trapeze" from the Peony Peak Acrobatic Troupe from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the "Springboards" from the Russian State Circus Company! And there was a third Golden Lion Award winner this year. Russia's Khatchatrian family scooped up the prize with their fantastic "Ballet on Wire".

A total of 22 competitive programs, plus four clown-related programs comprised this year's festival. Six programs were awarded the Silver Lion Award, including the "Lively Trapeze" from the Russian State Circus Company, "Juggling" from the Timo Circus of Germany and the "Foot Juggling and Teeter Board Act" from the Anhui Acrobatic Troupe of China. Nine other programs shared the honors for the Bronze awards.

Launched in 1987, the China Wuqiao International Circus Festival is widely regarded as the world's third largest circus festival. It ranks after the Monte Carlo Circus Festival of Monaco and the "Tomorrow Circus Festival" of France. This year's entries were selected from nearly 100 programs worldwide.

(CCTV.com November 11, 2003)