The 41st edition of the festival kicked off on January 19, 2017, featuring the most spectacular and thrilling performances presented for the first time in Monte-Carlo. The festival gathered more than 120 artists from 16 countries on the Fontvieille Big Top arena.
On January 24 at the Awards Gala Evening, an international jury under the presidency of Princess Stephanie of Monaco honored the best acts of the event with the famous Golden, Silver and Bronze Clowns awards — the most respected prize in the world of the circus. The winners' shows are still on till January 29.
Erwin Frankello, winner of a Silver Clown award, performs during the gala of the 41st International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo in Monaco on January 24, 2017. Erwin Frankello presented great skills of his African elephants and sea lions, both his friends and partners.
A tiger jumps through a ring of fire as the Zapashny brothers, winners of a Silver Clown award, perform at the gala of the 41st International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo in Monaco on January 24, 2017. The stars of the Russian circus, the Zapashny Brothers performed their mixed tiger-lion act for the first time in Europe.
The acrobatic troop of Xianjiang, winners of a Silver Clown award, performs during the 41st International Circus Festival in Monaco on January 24, 2017.
The Zapashny brothers, winners of a Silver Clown award, perform with a lion at the gala of the 41st International Circus Festival in Monaco on January 24, 2017.
Ringmaster "Petit Gougou" performs during the gala of the 41st International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo in Monaco on January 24, 2017.
Marek Jama performs with llamas during the gala of the 41st International Circus Festival in Monaco on January 24, 2017.
Artist of the "Skokov troop" performs during the 41st International Circus Festival in Monaco on January 24, 2017.
Artists of the "Trushin troop", winner of a Golden Clown award, perform during the gala of the 41st International Circus Festival in Monaco on January 24, 2017.
The Zapashny brothers, winners of a Silver Clown award, perform at the 41st International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo in Monaco on January 24, 2017.
Contortionist Rich Miteku performs during the opening of the 41st Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival in Monaco on January 19, 2017.
Prince Albert II of Monaco (second left) and his sister Princess Stephanie (second right) pose with the Zapashny brothers, winners of a Silver Clown award, at the awards ceremony of the 41st International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo in Monaco on January 24, 2017.
Spectators attend the gala of the 41st International Circus Festival in Monaco on January 24, 2017.
Mario Berousek performs during the gala of the 41st International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo in Monaco January 24, 2017.
Erwin Frankello, winner of a Silver Clown award, performs during the 41st International Circus Festival in Monaco on January 24, 2017.
