Photograph courtesy Cirque Du Soleil.
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Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec - In the early 1980's, in this small Charlevoix village near Quebec City, there was a band of colourful street entertainers who would juggle, dance, play music, breath fire and walk on stilts. They were called Les Echassiers de Baie-Saint-Paul (the Baie-Saint-Paul Stiltwalkers). The troupe was founded by Gilles Ste-Crois. In 1984 member Guy Laiberte proposed a show called Cirque du Soleil (Circus of the Sun) for Quebec City's celebration of the 450th anniversary of Canada's Discovery by Jacques Cartier. The company reinvented the circus incorporating acrobatics, theatre, music, comedy and a little mystery. There are now 10 shows in North and South America, Asia and Europe, that have entertained 50 million people. Performers include Olympic and World Champion athletes. The Cirque du Soleil headquarters (with 1,600 employees) is in Montreal. Look for 'Big Top' summer performances in Montreal & Quebec City.
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