Cirque du Soleil has a rich history that stretches back more than 25 years. Theirs is a story about a group of young people who wanted nothing more than the freedom to dream a dream; the tale of individuals who came forward at special moments in time to cultivate and move that dream forward, and to eventually share it with the world. Individuals like Guy Laliberté, Gilles Ste-Croix, Guy Caron, Normand Latourelle and Daniel Gauthier, amongst many, many others. Historia! Celebrates Cirque du Soleil's pioneering spirit by reflecting on their long journey throughout the years...

"Those who are able to walk on stilts can roam the earth unstopped by mountains or rivers. They are able to imagine flying and therefore to reach the Isles of the Immortals." - P'ao-Pou Tseu

It all started in Baie-Saint-Paul, a small town near Québec City, in Canada. In this haven of creativity, whose rural charm attracted artists, artisans and tourists alike, a group of young street performers mixed in with the crowd. Loud, eccentric, brash and impossible to avoid, they walked on stilts, juggled, breathed fire and played music. They were Les Échassiers de Baie-Saint-Paul (the Baie-Saint-Paul Stilt walkers); a street theatre group founded by Gilles Ste-Croix, and already the townsfolk were impressed and intrigued by them. Including one Guy Laliberté, barely 20 years old.

Wishing that Quebec had a similar circus tradition like most European towns, and to promote circus arts and street performers in Canada, the young artists pooled their talent and dreams and went on to found the "Club des Talons Hauts" (or "High-Heels Club"). And then, in 1982, Inspired by the spectators' obvious delight, organized La Fête foraine de Baie-Saint-Paul (the Baie Saint-Paul Fair), a cultural event in which street performers from all over met to exchange ideas and techniques, and enliven the streets of the town for a few days.

La Fête foraine was repeated in 1983 and 1984. Le Club des talons hauts attracted notice, and Guy Laliberté, Gilles Ste-Croix and many others began to cherish a crazy dream: to create a Québecois circus and take the troupe travelling around the world. In 1984, Québec City was celebrating the 450th anniversary of Canada’s discovery by Jacques Cartier, and they needed a show that would carry the festivities out across the province. Guy Laliberté presented a proposal for a show called Cirque du Soleil (Circus of the Sun), and succeeded in convincing the organizers.

And Cirque du Soleil hasn’t stopped since!

1984