We continue to reveal the names of acts competing in the competition at Latina in October: more performers from Spain, Finland, Armenia and Portugal.
Experts from the Selection Committee have chosen four more numbers to compete in the circus competition. They are all champions in different disciplines: verticals and aerial pole, swinging trapeze, clown and aerial straps. This brings us to 8 numbers already announced.
A clever fusion of different disciplines in the performance from Spain
5. ANTONIO VARGAS
🇪🇸 SPAIN – VERTICALS, AERIAL POLE
Antonio Vargas was born in Malaga, in Spain, on October 26, 1981. At Latina, Antonio is presenting a number that contains more than one discipline, namely verticals and aerial pole, which combine beautifully with the addition of dance elements. The versatility of this artist derives from his training in gymnastics, dance – in particular Flamenco – and contemporary circus. Antonio Vargas’ début was in 2000, and he has since appeared in theatres, circuses, variety and dinner shows both in Europe and in the United Arab Emirates.
Finland is represented by an eclectic and versatile performer whose professional talents include several acrobatic circus disciplines
6. MILENA OKSANEN
🇫🇮 FINLAND – SWINGING TRAPEZE
Milena Oksanen is a young performer from Helsinki, the capital of Finland. She trained as a gymnast as well as in Circus arts: in artistic gymnastics she won numerous national medals, and in the Circus world she trained in several disciplines at the Moscow State Circus School and at l’Académie Fratellini. Since 2010, Milena has performed in 16 countries and all five continents in a wide range of disciplines: dance, acting, pole-dance, silks, aerial hoop, fixed trapeze, swinging trapeze. Milena Oksanen will be working with the trapeze at the 23rd edition of the International Circus Festival of Italy: swinging trapeze and tango trapeze.
Clowns: a cornerstone of the Circus
7. ARMEN & BELLA
🇦🇲 ARMENIA – CLOWN
Armen Asiryants will be popping up during the shows of the International Circus Festival of Italy to provide laughter for young and old. The performances will include cigar boxes, a car, a ball and a painter, in four different scenes. Armen is accompanied by Bella Kitanjyan, his professional partner as well as his companion in life. Armen and Bella are both from Armenia: Armen has 40 years of experience as a clown, while Bella’s début was in 2009.
When a gymnastic becomes a circus performer
8. JOÃO GODINHO
🇵🇹 PORTUGAL – AERIAL STRAPS
João Godinho is an acrobat from Portugal. His artistic path reflects continuing study and growth. João was in the world of sport for over 15 years as a gymnast, before choosing an artistic path that found him in theatre and television, in dance and singing, in acting and then in the Circus. In his aerial straps number entitled Hope, João Godinho uses his body language to convey his feelings to the audience: the puppet, a metaphor for the roles that we are all tied into, tries to free itself of the strings that bind it and restrict its freedom.
