A violent Mediterranean ocean wind swept away the famous December rendezvous in Monte Carlo. Circus fans feared the worst: the cancellation of the 12th International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo. It had been planned to take place under a new tent of a new design. But before the semi-solid roof of the new structure was in place, it was completely torn to pieces in the wind in a single blow.

The festival organizing committee attacked the problem with courage. They had to not only find a new tent, but to contact each artist to see if their appearances could be rescheduled. Most were able to reschedule for the end of January, and an Italian tent company said two months would be sufficient for reconstruction of a big top.

Finally, on Jan. 29 at 8:30 p.m., the immense big top (gray on the outside and blue on the inside) trembled with the excitement of 4,500 circus fans awaiting the arrival of Prince Ranier to begin the festival.

Of the jugglers present, the youngest was Laci Endresz. His small stature makes Endresz appear even younger than his 12 years. That emphasizes his talent, but hurts in his collaboration with his sister, Kate, three years his elder. She was totally at ease and could have done well as a grown man's assistant. However, Laci's child­like appearance beside Kate's older appearance was a bit bothersome.

Born of two long-time circus families (the Roberts Brothers Circus on the maternal side and Hungarian circus on the father's side), Laci worked in an acrobatic act with his father. The youngster warmed up for the act by juggling tennis balls. While watching him one day, Laci's father realized his son's talent, and Laci therefore began regular juggling training. He worked hard, but never forgot to live. Despite the circus ring and his stardom, he remains a child. He gets pleasure from juggling and the spectators feel it.

Laci Endresz juggles with Kung Fu numchucks, five and seven rings, four and five clubs, three then five balls. He covers the whole ring, plays with the audience, and finishes his act with five flaming torches.  

The Bulgarian Anguel Bozilovi juggles balanced on the slack wire. Lying on the wire, he throws spinning plates up onto sticks without difficulty. He presents several classical combinations while balancing on one foot. Juggling with four clubs, he jumps to the ground and salutes the crowd without stopping his juggle. It's a pretty finish that doesn't interrupt the harmony of the difficult exercises.

Fu Xiu Yu, a 24-year-old Chinese acrobat, astounded spectators with her astonishing equilibrium. Perched on a unicycle, she rides onto a pedestal decorated with dragons by a coming and going lateral motion. Then, pedaling with just one foot, she tossed with her other foot one bowl, then two, three and even four bowls that pile up on her head.

Not content with that prowess, Fu Xiu Y u rode on top of an immense wooden ball weighing 100 kilograms. As unlikely as it may seem, she rides the unicycle on the ball and begins once again to juggle with her iron bowls and a coffee pot. To top everything, she tosses the coffee pot to the top of the bowls on her head with her foot.

This incredible exercise was conceived by Mr. Liu. His pupil practiced four years to get it right. It took two years alone to learn to mount the ball and 1 1/2 to juggle. But this act is unique in China and even, as far as anyone knows, unique in the whole world.

George Sollveno, a Swiss citizen, discovered juggling by going to the circus with his father. He met Jacky Lupescu there and a passion was born. Already 13 years old, the young man began to work alone every day. Six months later, he knew how to juggle three balls. He called Jacky Lupescu, who told him over the phone how to juggle four. That one lesson was enough. Later, he received from his' 'professor" rings and clubs. From that moment .on his life was oriented resolutely around juggling, though he also took the time first to undertake an apprenticeship in business.

In 1975 he debuted with the Circus Nock and last year, at age 32, he participated in the world-famous Circus Knie. Sollveno juggles in the pure tradition of Rastelli. His combinations are varied, his work diverse, highlighted by original inventions such as lighted clubs and five rings bounced on a rubber carpet.

These four jugglers met different for­tunes at Monaco. Laci Endresz and George Sollveno left with empty hands, while Anguel Bozilovi receive the Louis Merlin prize in recognition of his long artistic career. Fu Xiu Yu received the City of Monaco Prize and the Monte Carlo Television Prize.

The silver clown went to the Mongolian contortionists Erdene Tuya and Oyunt­cheimeg, as well as to Kehaiovi, Bulgarian teeterboard artists. The two gold clowns went to the Chinese hoop jumpers from Shen Yang as well as to the Italian Massimiliano Nones and his marvelous group of tigers.