VietNamNet Bridge – Fifteen young artists from the Viet Nam Circus Federation are participating at the 10th International Circus Festival in Havana, capital of Cuba.

The Vietnamese group is staging a number of shows for audiences at the festival, including their Superman Swing show, which won the first prize at the international circus festival of Albacete in Spain in 2010, and Power of the Arms performed by brothers Giang Quoc Co and Giang Quoc Binh.

The festival gathers circus performers from 14 nations around the world. Beside Viet Nam, other countries such as Russia, the US, Spain and China have performers taking part at the event.

* Hue begins renovation of former Royal Library

Photo: Internet
The Hue Monuments Conservation Centre has begun renovating the Thai Binh Lau (Royal Library) in the former Forbidden City at a cost of more than VND24 billion (US$1.1 million).

The renovation will cover all the wooden portions, roof, exterior and interior decorations.

The former royal library, located in the northeast of the Forbidden City, was built in 1821 during the reign of King Khai Dinh. The roof and gable ends of the library are elaborately decorated with glass and ceramic mosaics featuring dragons, phoenix and floral designs.

The library has not received visitors for several years due to its current decrepit state.

"Efforts will be made during the renovation of the Royal Library to cause no damage to its original beauty," said Phung Phu, director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre.

The renovation is expected to be completed in 2013.

* Comedy festival gathers troupes nationwide

Troupes around the nation will have an opportunity to take part in a comedy festival this month, run by the Viet Nam Stage Artists Association.

Troupes in the northern area will perform on stage in the northern province of Quang Ninh from August 25 to September 1, while southern groups will perform in November.

"We chose Quang Ninh because the province attracts thousands of tourists and local people have great interest in arts performances," association chairman Le Tien Tho said.

The festival, expected to be held every two years, aims at bringing together and evaluating national comedy performances as well as providing orientation for the association's scenario writing camp.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News