On October 28, 2024, La Poste will issue a CHÂLONS-EN-CHAMPAGNE MARNE stamp, with an attached “TIMBRES PASSION 2024” sticker, on the occasion of this event which will take place there from October 25 to 27, 2024.
Among the heritage treasures that Châlons-en-Champagne contains is a gem: one of the last eight permanent circuses in France, inaugurated on April 16, 1899. This magnificent dodecagonal (12-sided) reinforced concrete building, designed by local architect Louis Gillet, survived the early 20th century by hosting visiting circuses, famous troupes, but also many concerts and galas. It has sometimes diverted from its original purpose, serving for example as a camouflage workshop (First World War), a place to store and deposit gas masks (Second World War) or a cinema (from 1919).
In the 1950s, the place was rented to sports associations, artists performed there and its foyer even served as a dance hall.
The establishment of the National Center for Circus Arts (CNAC) in 1985 would definitively seal the strength of the link between Châlons and the circus. The reputation of this higher education school for circus arts now extends beyond our borders. Students come from all over the world to follow a high-level curriculum, integrating, in addition to equestrian arts, staging, contemporary dance, music, singing, general culture, introduction to administration and communication.
The sculpted portal of the main façade of the building, with its horses emerging from the pediment, its clown heads on each side of the entrance door, evokes the traditional world of the circus. A world of emotions and creativity which, in this school of excellence that is the CNAC, has evolved in its expression, making Châlons-en-Champagne the cradle of the contemporary circus. With the Furies festival, the National Center for Circus Arts, the future project of a museum dedicated to the circus, the city continues to enrich the practice of circus arts. And to share its passion with as many people as possible.
Inspired by the circus, Philéas, the mascot of the young philatelists of the French Federation of Philatelic Associations, juggles on the vignette next to the stamp. Timbres Passion, their biennial national event, will be held in Châlons-en-Champagne from October 25 to 27, 2024. This will be an opportunity to come and admire the most beautiful collections made by young people as part of the French Championship. In addition, some adult competition classes will also be presented: thematic philately, polar philately, maximaphily, cartophily and open class. But the event will not be limited to these exhibitions. Numerous stands, meetings and activities for chess players, a major attractive center on the circus, conferences, battle games will attract the general public.
