North Korean Acrobat Union joins the International Circus Federation

The Fédération Mondiale du Cirque has announced that the Acrobatics Association of Korea (AAK) has joined the Federation as its newest member.

Created in September 2011 to bring together and represent circus artists from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), AAK's membership was announced during recent World Circus Day celebration in the DPRK capital of Pyongyang City, attended by Federation President Urs Pilz.

Pilz stated "we warmly welcome the Acrobatics Association of Korea to the Federation. The AAK will bring important expertise and interest to the Federation.

"The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is home to extremely talented and innovative artists with a strong Circus tradition."

The AAK is the second Federation member from Asia, following the membership of the Japanese Circus & Entertainment Association in December 2011. The Federation's other members are based in Australia, Canada, Europe, Mexico, South Africa and the United States of America - members being the Animal Interest Alliance, Circus Federation of Australia, En Piste, European Circus Association, Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo and Outdoor Amusement Business Association, Inc, Japanese Circus & Entertainment Association and the Asociacion Mexicana de Empresarios de Circo A.C.

The Fédération Mondiale du Cirque e was founded in 2008 under the patronage of H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco and is headquartered in Monte-Carlo. The Federation is a non-profit organisation created to promote Circus arts and culture worldwide, to serve as a voice for the Circus community, and to represent Circus interests at the international level.

For further information John Le Mare, Oceania Press Representative on 07 5474 4453, E: john@aladdins.com.au, www.circusfederation.org 

8th July 2009 - ANIMAL CIRCUSES MORE POPULAR THAN RUGBY AND BALLET