1984

On June 16, 1984, Cirque du Soleil officially came together in part by contributions and summons by the Quebec government. The name, meaning "Sun Circus" or "Circus of the Sun", came to the troupe's founder Guy Laliberté while pondering his future on a white, sandy beach in Hawaii. Wishing his new circus to embody youth, energy, power, light and spirit, he naturally chose the sun as his emblem. Once armed with an identity, the Cirque came together as highlight of the celebrations surrounding the 450th anniversary of Jacques Cartier's (1491-1557) arrival in Canada.

For the festivities, Cirque du Soleil presents a totally new concept: a striking, dramatic mix of the circus arts and street entertainment, featuring wild, outrageous costumes, staged under magical lighting and set to original music. With not a single animal in the ring, Cirque's difference is clear from the very start. The show debuts in a little 800 seat blue-and-yellow big top in the small Quebec town of Gaspé, the very same place Mr. Cartier's voyage took him so long ago as he desperately tried to find a land route through to the Orient. The show was a smashing success and the artists, invigorated by its reception, took their creation on the road performing in 10 other cities throughout the province delighting 30,000 spectators...

Index

1985