WHAT changes will the circus bring to urban development and people's lives? What development trend will the circus have? Dozens of experts and professionals from China, Russia, Spain, Italy, Canada and the European Circus Association explored issues regarding the circus, city and life at the 1st China International Circus Festival Circus & Acrobatics Development Symposium on Thursday.

Fabrice Becker, general manager of the Cirque du Soleil (French for "Circus of the Sun,") Global Talent Show, noted that a circus would bring to a city a new rise. It is a good start for Zhuhai to host the international circus festival, which would serve as a bridge and promote exchanges and cooperation between Zhuhai and the international cultural industry. He said in a speech that he believed Zhuhai would bring more pleasant surprises to the world in the future.

Cirque du Soleil is a Canadian entertainment company, self-described as a "dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment." Based in Montreal, Quebec, and located in the inner-city area of Saint-Michel, it was founded in Baie- Saint-Paul in 1984 by former street performers Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gauthier. The company is the winner of the 1991 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience.

Fabio Mondico, chairman of the Italian Latina International Circus Festival, pointed out that the circus and circus culture can only improve and progress through mutual exchange of experience and comparison of ideas.

The differences of the cultures will not distance each other, rather, they will improve each other, which is the significance of the circus festival and symposium, he proclaimed.

In the city of Latina, various conferences, symposiums, training sessions, exhibitions, coffee hours and other events take place along with the circus festival.

The circus needs to take nutrition from the city and outside social life and comprehend social, cultural and historical natural change and development so as to mix them into its own performance. Only in this way can the circus follow the trend of the times and at the same time revere those old traditions, he stated.

Genis Matabosgh, chairman of the Figueres International Circus Festival in Spain, claimed that grand cultural events can improve a city's popularity, draw attention from the mass media and bring honours to a city, faster than a permanent cultural institution can do. It will also inject cultural energy, enhance the city image and help it go global, he asserted.

Vice Mayor Long Guangyan delivered speeches at the symposium.