The Golden Clown Award in Monte Carlo International Circus Festival(MCICF), the First Silver Award in the 1st Monaco New Generation International Youngsters and Teenagers Circus Festival(MIYTCF), the Bronze Award in the World Circus Festival of Tomorrow (WCFT)in France. At the beginning of 2012, Chinese acrobatics keeps receiving news of success. The advanced technique and abundant repertoire of Chinese acrobatics impressed the foreign audience a lot. In the “going-out” tide of Chinese culture, in order to make Chinese acrobatics a brand abroad, it is necessary to conduct an in-depth research in acrobatic artistry formed by global acrobatic festival and fully realize the appreciation and aesthetic demand of foreign audience while exploring market potential and focus on development trend of international acrobatics. 

“The two programs from China are so amazing that we can’t help standing to applaud for them.” “I look forward to the video of those two programs so that kids in our school will have a look.” Those are comments for excellence from the judges from USA and Denmark, two acrobatic powers, in the 36th MCICF. Those programs named Big Springboard and Men’s Artistic Formation jointly won the highest award—Golden Clown Award in the MCICF, which was reputed as the Olympiad in circus sector. But the surprise is continuing. In the following 33rd WCFT in France, Duet Juggling won Bronze Award while Jumping Crutch won the 1st Silver Award in the 1st MIYTCF and Special Award of Monaco Friend of Circus Association. The successive good news of Chinese acrobatics in the international arena added a lot to the joyous festive atmosphere of Chinese Spring Festival in the Year of Dragon. 

On January 19, the 36th MCICF was opened and during the four days’ competition, 29 acrobatic and animal-training programs from 20 countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Germany, France, Spain, Mongolia, Brazil and China carried on a fierce contest. The two programs by Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, namely Big Springboard and Men’s Artistic Formation, won the highest award—Golden Clown Award. From January 26 till 29, the 33rd WCFT took place in Paris, France, in which the program Duet Juggling from China Railway Acrobatic Troupe participated. The two young acrobats, who just celebrated their birthday of 18 years old, competed with the counterparts from 16 countries such as USA, Canada, Russia, Ukraine and Congo, and finally won Bronze Award. On February 5, the 1st MIYTCF was concluded and the program Jumping Crutch by China Acrobatic Troupe, coming out of the twenty programs of the 14 participating countries, won the 1st Silver Award of the acrobatic programs and Special Award of Monaco Friend of Circus Association. 

Princess Stephanie of Principality of Monaco and president of MCICF wrote a holograph letter to China Acrobats Association (CAA), expressing heartfelt gratitude for CAA’s recommending outstanding acrobatic programs to participate in the Festival and willingness to establish long-term cooperation with CAA. Every year, CAA is appointed to recommend excellent acrobatic programs from China. Pierce, vice president and artistic director of MCICF and Alain Barthez, organizer of WCFT, had meetings and discussions with CAA concerning the further cooperation. In the light of the global influence of Chinese acrobatics and outstanding performance, the organizing committees of the two Festivals agreed that the Great Wall Cup would be set up for China permanently from this session on. This action will greatly enhance China’s impact and discourse right in the international acrobatic community and facilitate her joint efforts with the international peers to promote the development of acrobatic arts. 

What is the key reason for Chinese acrobatic to won so many international awards? “The key is innovation.” Yu Yigang, head of Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, uttered frankly. As Bian Faji, president of CAA commented, producers keep on improving choreography, structure, rhythm and music and make the programs in accordance with the development trend of international acrobatic arts. By means of universal communications, those programs showcase a contemporary expression. In the past, the springboard type is always the favorite of Eastern European countries, but the latest technique of extreme difficulty was included in the rearrangement of the program Big Springboard. The other program Men’s Artistic Formation is a reflection of Chinese style and fashion. Performing on a big Chinese drum with ancient scent and pattern, the acrobats displayed vividly traditional unrivalled skill and modern aesthetics. As a saying goes, national character is global identity. Chinese cultural identity is just the most important part appreciated by judges from different countries. Shao Xuemin, vice president of CAA, said to us, “Only by making brand and masterpieces of our own can we occupy our position in the global arena. The top works in literary and art circles represent the cultural status and innovation of a nation. It is necessary for us to create top production of Chinese character, style and expression”. Obviously, on its “going-out” way to the world, Chinese acrobatics need to make its brand better and more famous.