10 days until the Festival
Important Circus names in the International Technical Jury of the Festival.
Circus Stars will be present on the International Technical Jury that decides the winners of the “Latina d’Oro” as well as in the Circus ring. The International Technical Jury of this “Special Anniversary Edition” of the “International Circus Festival – City of Latina” is composed of owners or representatives of the most important Circuses or Circus Academies in the world, as well as distinguished members of the business, arts and political spheres connected to the world of the Circus. The International Technical Jury views all the numbers in the competition and expresses votes based on the following parameters: originality of the performance, choreography, technical merit and grade of difficulty. Additionally, from this year onwards, each juror may award a “bonus” to a performance that excels in its originality (technical or choreographic) and which also reflects the appreciation of the audience.
International Technical Jury of the “International Circus Festival – City of Latina
Istvan Kristof – President of the International Technical Jury – Hungary
Creator and Founder of the International Circus Festival of Budapest
Istvan Kristof was the Director of the Fovarosi Nagycircusz, the permanent Circus of Budapest, as well as Director of the International Circus Festival that takes place in the Hungarian capital every two years. During his artistic career he won prizes in many important International Circus Festivals. In 2011 and 2012 he carried out the role of President of the International Technical Jury at Latina with exemplary care and clarity.
Mirella Iuliano – Secretary of the Jury – Italy
Honorary President of the “Giulio Montico” Cultural Association
A passionate and enthusiastic circus fan, Mirella Iuliano was the lifelong partner and devoted wife of the late Giulio Montico, versatile and multifaceted Circus artist as well as fondly remembered creator of the “International Circus Festival – City of Latina”, to whose memory, this year even more than others, the Festival is dedicated. More generally speaking, the entire Montico Family, associated with the Circus world for many generations, are rightly considered to be custodians of the Italian Circus tradition, and continue to be involved in the Circus world not only on an artistic level but also on the creative, managerial, promotional, and cultural/educational development side of things. Mirella Iuliano always encouraged and supported the projects of her husband, Giulio Montico, including the founding of the “International Circus Festival – City of Latina” in 1999.
Francesco Bouglione – France
Administrative Director of the Cirque d’Hiver
President of the International Circus Festival of Massy
Born in Belgium in 1970 whilst the family Circus was touring, Francesco Bouglione spent most of his childhood in Paris, at the historic Cirque d’Hiver. At ten years of age he started to learn to juggle, and a few years later made his début in this discipline. He later went on to follow in his father’s footsteps, managing and producing shows. Since 1999, he and his cousins have been representing the new generation of the Bouglione family, and they have transformed the Cirque d’Hiver by modernization and innovation. Francesco Bouglione has also been President of the International Circus Festival of Massy since 2009.
Peter Dubinsky – United States of America
President of Firebird Productions Inc.
Following a Degree in scenic arts, and after being Director of the Moscow Circus, which inspired in him a strong interest in Circus arts, Peter Dubinsky founded Firebird Productions Inc., and as President of this company he produces high-profile live shows for North-American Theme Parks as well as for more traditional Circus shows. Experience and know-how in his chosen field have ensured worldwide recognition for Peter Dubinsky, as well as many important and prestigious international awards.
José María González Villa – Spain
Director of Gran Circo Mundial
José María González Villa is the founder of the Gran Circo Mundial, Spain’s oldest and most celebrated circus. During his career he has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for his work, including a gold medal from UNICEF for a fundraising Gala on Spanish TV, the National Circus Prize from I.N.A.E.M. (National Institute of Theatre Arts and Music), and a gold medal in Fine art from the Spanish Royal Family. He is also founder and President of the Spanish Circus Association, and a member of the Circus Council, nominated by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Farzhana Khalilova – Russia
General Director of Rosgoscirk Russian State Circus
Farzhana Khalilova was born on October 18th, 1956. In 1983 she began her professional career at the State Circus of Tumen as Administrative Director, becoming General Director in 2000. In 2011 Ms. Khalilova was nominated Director of the Great Moscow State Circus by the Government, who subsequently also made her Director General of all 42 Russian State Circuses of the Rosgoscirk company in 2012. Farzhana Khalilova has also been awarded the title “Honoured Culture Worker of the Russian Federation”.
Mykola Kobzov – Ukraine
Director of the Kobzov Circus Union
Nikolay Kobzov, after training at the Ukraine State Academy, began operating in the Circus world, and in 2003 he founded the “Kobzov Circus Union”, which unites seventeen circuses in the Ukraine, employing over five-hundred people, and of which he is also President. Kobzov is also resident of the International Circus Festival “Golden Trick”.
Bernard Petiot – Canadà
Vice President of Casting and Performance - Creative Content Division – Cirque du Soleil
Following a BA in Physical Education, and a subsequent MA in Science and Physical Activity from Université Laval, Bernard Petiot taught Physical Education at the University of Montreal from 1980 to 1997. As one of the main organizers of conferences regarding the development of talent in gymnastics (Montreal’s 1985 World Gymnastics Championships), Bernard Petiot was also asked to analyze competitions at the following Olympics; Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), Beijing (2008) and London (2012). As a coach, Bernard Petiot contributed to the training and success of world-class Canadian gymnasts Cathy Giancaspro (Seoul, 1998), Mylène Fleury (Barcelona, 1992) and Marilou Cousineau (five-time World Champion), as well as being the coach of the Canadian Olympic team through 13 World Championships and 2 Olympic Games. Bernard has been with Cirque du Soleil for 15 years, and is currently Vice-President of Casting and Performance-Creative Content Division. His work responsibilities include Performance Design and Development, Performance Medicine, Training of Artistes, Performance Coaching and Support, Casting, and Trends, Content and Casting for new shows.
Urs Pilz – Switzerland
Vice President and Artistic Director of the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo; President, European Circus Association ; President, Fédération Mondiale du Cirque
Born in Switzerland in 1941, Urs Pilz, on completing his schooling, began a career in the world of fashion, later becoming Vice President of the Bogner label. Urs Pilz, who has always been interested in the Circus world, has worked with the Circus Knie and in international relations at the Circus Krone in Munich. In 1981 he began his long and illustrious association with the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo, first as a member and then as coordinator of the jury, going on to become Artistic Director and Vice President, a role which sees him as one of H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie of Monaco’s closest associates. He is also President of the two main Circus associations: Fédération Mondiale du Cirque and the European Circus Association.
Hou Quangen – People’s Republic of China
Director of the Tianjin Acrobatic Troupe
Born in 1954, Hou Quangen began his career with the Tianjin Acrobatic Troupe in 1972, and is now its Director. At the same time, he is also Director of the Chinese Acrobats Association. During his 30-year career as an acrobat, he created and choreographed more than twelve large themed acrobatic shows and dozens of innovative acrobatic performances, gaining the admiration of audiences and experts alike.
Enis Togni – Italy
General Director and Producer of the American Circus
A celebrated name in the History of the Circus, Enis Togni is the oldest and most respected living member of the Togni family: a national and international Circus icon. The Fourth son of Alba Massacesi and Ferdinando Togni, Enis began his performing career at a very young age, starting as an acrobat with the “Angeli Volanti” and subsequently becoming an exceptional trainer of big cats. Enis Togni later went on to become General Director of the large family Circus, whilst also passing his skills on to his children. He and his siblings Willy, Bruno and Adriana have made their love of the Circus the centre of their lives and, as with all the great Circus families, they have also made it their business to train the new generations in the various disciplines of the Circus.
Flavio Togni – Italy
Co-Producer of the American Circus
Born in Pescia (Pistoia) in 1960, Flavio Togni belongs to one of the most important Italian Circus dynasties: the Togni family. Son of Enis Togni, a famed star in the History of the Circus, Flavio married Adela Dos Santos in 1991, and they have two children, Bruno and Adriana, both already working in the family Circus. Togni is universally considered to be one of the most important living animal trainers, and his many awards are ample testimony: taking as an example his achievements at the Festival of Monte-Carlo, we can list 3 “Clowns d’Argent” (1976, 1983, and 1998) and a “Clown d’Or” (2011). Together with his brother Daniele, Flavio is head of the largest Italian Circus - and Italy’s only three-ringed circus - the “American Circus”.
Tatiana Zapashnaya – Russia
General Director of the Zapashny Brothers Circus
First Vice Director of the Great Moscow State Circus
The encounter between Tatiana Zapashnaya and the Circus world happened in 1975, when Tatiana married the late Valter Zapashny, “People’s Artist of Russia” and celebrated performer and trainer. Tatiana Zapashnaya is the mother of brothers Askold and Edgard Zapashny, guest stars at this edition of the Festival. Formerly an assistant to her husband, Tatiana has also been working and performing as an animal trainer with her two sons since 1981, and they have produced many important Circus numbers together. Tatiana Zapashnaya has held an important post at the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation since 2012.
