From Rodney Huey

countryselector copy, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles: I am representing the newly formed Federation Mondiale du Cirque (of which the OABA is a founding member). Would you please include the below release about the winner of its worldwide logo competition in your blog? More news to follow at a later date. Thanks. Rodney Huey Fédération Mondiale du Cirque announces Winner of Worldwide Logo Competition After a review of thirty-three entries from France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, South Africa, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the USA, S.A.S. la Princesse Stéphanie of Monaco named Richard Molinier's logo design as the winner. The new logo is a tri-colour design with a performing horse, flying trapeze artists and a clown's face under a circus tent set against a map of the world. "I tried to symbolize the heart of the circus with a horse, trapeze and clown," wrote designer Molinier of L'Isle-sur-Tarn, France. A life-long circus enthusiast and friend to many European circus artists, Molinier explained that some of his fondest childhood memories were trips with his uncle to the circus. A member of the French Club du Cirque, he is a strong supporter of the circus, including animals and humans working together. He closed his letter of submission for the competition with a hearty "Vive le cirque!" "We were thrilled with the response to our logo competition and very impressed with the diversity of designs," said Laura van der Meer, Executive Director of the Federation. "Narrowing down the selection to five for the Princess was a difficult task, but I think her choice captures the global circus community uniting under one Big Top." The new logo is incorporated into the Federation website at www.circusfederation.org or www.cirquemondial.org The Federation was launched in January 2008 as a non-profit association of circus organizations. Inspired by the late Prince Rainier III of Monaco, it operates under the patronage of his daughter, S.A.S. la Princesse Stéphanie. Its goal is to bring together the global circus community in order to promote and preserve circus arts and culture around the world. Founding Members of the Federation comprise the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo, the Outdoor Amusement Business Association of the USA, the European Circus Association, the Circus Federation of Australia, the Animal Interest Alliance of South Africa, and the Canadian based En Piste. *****************