The "Tube Acrobatics" performed by China's Railway Arts-Work Troupe and "flying Spiders" given by the Qiqihar Circus have won gold and bronze prizes respectively at the 7th International Circus Festival of Budapest.

The acrobatic feats, performed at the Capital Circus in Budapest Monday evening, drew rousing ovations from the audience.

Wang Desheng, deputy head of China's Railway Arts-Work Troupe, told Xinhua that it was the first time the tube acrobatics was performed by two tube players who displayed marvelous skills.

The two shows were awarded the prizes during competitions that were held between last Thursday and Sunday.

Six competitions were held during the festival, which drew troupes from 18 countries including Russia, the United States, Canada and Hungary.

The biennial festival, set up in 1996, is held to guarantee exclusivity and maximum interests among the International circus community. Chinese acrobats have won many prizes at the festival.
 
(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2008)