Tickets for the 2008 edition went on sale at the start of July. More info here and web site here: Circus festival
It will take place from 17 until 27 January 2008.

On today's paper there was an article about animals and circus... more and more people aren't OK with that.

I'm not a fan of the circus because of the animals. It strikes me as cruel and I don't care how much care they say the animals receive it still seems cruel to me.

I prefer an untraditional circus like Cirque du Soleil. Contortionists, jugglers, feats of strength, clowning, and aerial artists but no animals.

It's totally cruel to have animals doing the unnatural things forced upon them by traditional circuses. Animals are not on this earth to provide cheap entertainment for human beings.

LauraNYC wrote:I prefer an untraditional circus like Cirque du Soleil. Contortionists, jugglers, feats of strength, clowning, and aerial artists but no animals.

I saw cirque du Soleil...GREAT!!!!

LauraNYC wrote:I prefer an untraditional circus like Cirque du Soleil. Contortionists, jugglers, feats of strength, clowning, and aerial artists but no animals.

It's totally cruel to have animals doing the unnatural things forced upon them by traditional circuses. Animals are not on this earth to provide cheap entertainment for human beings.

I didn't have an objection to long standing circuses that were supposed to treat their animals well like Ringling Brothers, until I was in Honolulu when a circus elephant went on a rampage in the arena and then fled onto the streets of Honolulu and was attacking/crushing people, it was awful, it went on for an hour and she took multiple rounds from multiple shotguns simultaneously to the head to stop it and then she suffered for hours.... (despite the attached link, the "rounds to the heart" didn't kill her, they had multiple cops lined up with shotguns before she stopped running and it took the rounds to the heart for her to lay down but even then she didn't die....) the national news didn't pick it up, but the police officers themselves were severely traumatized by it as well, most of them wound up in long term counseling. ( they couldn't have done anything differently it was heading towards a park where there were a lot of people, they tried a dart gun and it did nothing and she had already killed its trainer intentionally by kneeling on him and severely injured other people.

After seeing what an elephant is capable of when it's angry, first off I don't believe ANY circus is safe for humans let alone animals, she blew through several different containment mechanisms like they were tissue paper, on top of that she was going for *anyone* in her line of sight in the street and there were people in cars who got out of them just in time for her to deliberately get on the hood and then roof and crush them to simithereens and then she batted the crushed cars around like they were toys... The other issue was this was a "reputable" circus and in the investigation that followed it was clear that the elephant had been *severely* mistreated and finally had had enough, which made it clear to me that ALL circuses mistreat their animals.

I don't go to circuses anymore!

http://www.circuses.com/le-contingency.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyke_(elephant)
http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.ht ... 3&archival

If you want to listen to Stephanie's opinion :

Interview Princesse Stephanie - Press Club

Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival 2008

Monaco issue a commemorative stamp on 15 October belonging to the 1st Part of the 2008 philatelic programme.
Reusing of the International Circus Festival poster. The 32nd edition will take place from January 17 till 27, 2008, under the big top of Fontvieille.

The International Monte-Carlo Circus Festival was created in 1974 on the initiative of the Prince Rainier III who lent his credibility to it in a difficult period. This world-renowned event became a reference and the most sought-after distinction by the artists of the Ring, a profession among the most difficult in the world, a calling for the pleasure of the old and young people.

Great find sailorgirl!

In case anyone is wondering, stamps are in the public domain and there are no copyright issues involved, so we can post them here.

Princess Stephanie of Monaco poses with a parrot during a press conference of the 32nd edition of Monte-Carlo Circus International Festival, 27 November 2007 in Monaco. The festival takes place from 17 till 27 January 2008 in Monte-Carlo. AFP PHOTO VALERY HACHE

deadline photo array 24 photos. if you get the deadline home page, remember to click visitor and you will get the photos.

The circus time is getting closer!!!! I do love a good circus

4 photos from ANP

sailorgirl wrote:
The circus time is getting closer!!!! I do love a good circus

4 photos from ANP

Well, we do know that already Silorgirl! That is why you are here on this forum, right?!

yes em!!!!!

There is no need that we go to a special show. The Circus is on the streets of Monaco every day.

MadameConcorde wrote:There is no need that we go to a special show. The Circus is on the streets of Monaco every day.

Circus is in luxury good shops too.

Stéphanie speaks about Festival du cirque.

January 2008 Circus Calendar

Circus (from 17 to 27 January 2008)
Thursday 17th to Sunday 27th January, Espace Fontvieille: 32nd Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival.

Circus (from 17 to 19 January 2008)
Thursday 17th, Friday 18th and Saturday 19th January at 8pm, Espace Fontvieille: 32nd Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival: Selection evenings

Circus (20 January 2008)
Sunday 20th January at 3pm, Espace Fontvieille: 32nd Monte- Carlo International Circus Festival: Selection afternoon.

Circus (21 January 2008)
Monday 21st January at 7pm, Espace Fontvieille: Ecumenical celebration in the Circus ring with the artists of the 32nd Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival.

Circus (22 January 2008)
Tuesday 22nd January at 8pm, Espace Fontvieille: 32nd Monte- Carlo International Circus Festival: Gala evening with the award winning acts. Trophy presentation by HSH Prince Albert II and HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco.

Circus (23 January 2008)
Wednesday 23rd January at 2.30pm and 8.30, Espace Fontvieille: 32nd Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival: Winners’ Show.

Circus (24 January 2008)
Thursday 24th January at 8pm, Espace Fontvieille: 32nd Monte- Carlo International Circus Festival: Winners’ Show.

Circus (25 January 2008)
Friday 25th January at 8.30pm, Espace Fontvieille: 32nd Monte- Carlo International Circus Festival: Winners' Show

Circus (26 January 2008)
Saturday 26th January at 2.30pm and 8.30pm, Espace Fontvieille: 32nd Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival: Winners’ Show.

Circus (27 January 2008)
Sunday 27th January at 3pm, Espace Fontvieille: 32nd Monte- Carlo International Circus Festival: Winners' Show.

Pics from Belga.

I decided to post some of the photos

epa01225441 Prince Albert II of Monaco (2-L), with his friend Charlene Wittstock (L), Princess Stephanie of Monaco (L), with artist Moya (R), as they look over one of his paintings at the 32nd Monte Carlo International Circus Festival, during the official opening night.Monaco, 17 January 2008. The circus will perform until 27 January 2008. EPA/GAETAN LUCI CORBIS OUT

epa01225425 Prince Albert II of Monaco (C) with his friend Charlene Wittstock (C-R)and his sister Princess Stephanie (C-L) attend the 32nd Monte Carlo International Circus Festival, during the official opening night.Monaco, 17 January 2008. The circus will perform until 27 January 2008. EPA/GAETAN LUCI CORBIS OUT

epa01225423 Prince Albert II of Monaco (R) with his friend Charlene Wittstock inaugurate a painting exhibition which takes place in front of the Chapiteau Fontvieille as they attend 32nd Monte Carlo International Circus Festival, during the official opening night.Monaco, 17 January 2008. The circus will perform until 27 January 2008. EPA/DOMINIQUE JACOVIDES CORBIS OUT

That nice Albert took his friend to the circus

So, Charlene was at Circus Festival.
I always liked seeing Albert and Stephanie together at Circus Festivals. But Charlene presence makes me