Wuqiao Circus Festival wraps up in Shijiazhuang

The 14th China Wuqiao International Circus Festival has lowered its curtain in Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei province.

The 14th China Wuqiao International Circus Festival has lowered its curtain in Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei province. Circus troupes from Russia, the DPRK and China shared the Golden Lion Award, the top honor awarded at the event.

The Pyongyang National Circus from the DPRK present their gravity-defying routine. They are joined by a Russian troupe, taking the art of balancing to a new level. And acrobats from Southwest China's Yunnan province add an ethnic touch to their performance.

The three troupes shared the Golden Lion Award, the coveted top award at this years China Wuqiao International Circus festival. Audiences were also won over.

"It's really breathtaking to watch. There were some points when I was worried that the performers would fall but instead they finished it beautifully. Great shows."

The festival also served as a platform for acrobats from around the world to learn from one another.

China boasts a long history of acrobatics, with traditional Chinese acrobats known around the world for their daredevil routines. However, some practitioners fear that the Chinese company lack creativity. This festival provides the perfect opportunity to learn.

"We have our strong points. The skill level is very high. Most foreign acrobats can do what we do, but we still have a lot to learn from our foreign counterparts, including prop design, stage presence and interaction with the audience. In a word, we must be more creative," said Li Xining, judge at Wuqiao Circus Fest.

Founded in 1987, the China Wuqiao International Circus festival is held every two years. It has become one of the most prestigious acrobatic events in the world.

This year, the 9-day festival saw troupes from 19 countries and regions present a flying feast of acrobatics.