900 Schoolchildren Learn About the Arts of the Circus

 As part of a close partnership between the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival and the Department of Education, Youth and Sport, an educational scheme on the theme of the circus was offered during the 2015-2016 school year to pupils in 37 classes from the last year of nursery school and from primary schools.

The aim of this special scheme was to enable schoolchildren from the Principality to help promote Monaco's cultural heritage;  it is essential that this heritage is passed on to future generations.

More than 70 workshops were held, featuring local artists and the Arnika Mime and Juggling Company, as well as a scientific workshop organised in close collaboration with the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco on the theme of "The Great Underwater Circus Parade" and children's book-reading sessions, all of which involved almost 900 schoolchildren.  In parallel with these varied activities, the pupils were able to attend an educational performance on 21 and 22 January at the Fontvieille Big Top, which was a unique opportunity to interact with some of the circus artistes.

Ms. Isabelle Bonnal, Director of Education, Youth and Sport, was present alongside the young schoolchildren, who showed great enthusiasm and a keen interest in finding out about the many circus skills. 

Also of note is a drawing competition, in which nursery and primary pupils took part, to select the schoolchildren who will become official members of the Junior Jury of the "New Generation Festival."

Finally, various creations by the schoolchildren, made to coincide with the special edition of the 40^thMonte-Carlo International Circus Festival, will be officially displayed at the major exhibition "Encounters with the Arts … and the Circus" ("Rencontres autour des Arts ….et du Cirque"), to be held at the Ecole du Parc school on Wednesday 4 May 2016.