Cirque du Soleil 25th Anniversary: Stilt-Walking Record Attempt

by cyn.khoo | June 16, 2009 at 08:58 am

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Cirque du Soleil, a cultural phenomenon of colourful and spellbinding spectacle, celebrates its 25th anniversary on June 16, 2009. In honour of the occasion, Cirque will attempt to recapture its Guinness world record for the most number of people walking on stilts simultaneously.

Cirque du Soleil, which has grown into one of Canada's best-known cultural exports, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in Montreal and around the world on Tuesday.
As part of the festivities, Cirque performers will attempt to recapture the world record for most people simultaneously walking on stilts.

Stilt-walkers and other Cirque du Soleil artists and employees are meeting in Fortaleza, Brazil, and Nagoya, Japan, as well as in Orlando, Las Vegas, Lisbon, Macau, New York, and Montreal, home of the troupe's headquarters.

Cirque du Soleil began as a street performers act in 1980s Quebec, until receiving the opportunity to perform a series of shows for the 450th anniversary of Jacques Cartier's arrival in Canada.

The newly named Cirque du Soleil went on to reinvent the public's perception of the circus, blending storytelling, acrobatics and theatrical costumes, lighting and music into a visual spectacle that delighted audiences.

Cirque du Soleil now operates across five continents employing around 4,000 people, and its founder, fire-eater Guy Laliberte, has received the Order of Canada.

Cirque's 2004 stilt-walking record was subsequently surpassed by a group in Japan (2006) and a group in Brandford, Ontario, Canada (2008), with 625 people stilt-walking at once.

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josephchan749

at 11:26 on June 16th, 2009

Once again, they "wow" us, and being performed on the street of Toronto, this added connection to our local community. Thanks CDS for coming out from the usual blue and yellow tent and share the sun with us!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/josephchan749/3628150030/in/set-72157619676098563/

elena.loga

at 18:10 on June 17th, 2009

Thank you to Luminato for the wonderful gift of a free Cirque du Soleil performance.
The performers were amazing and their talent inquestionable.
Already looking forward to Luminato 2010.
elena.loga has contributed a photo to this story.

Libran77

at 14:14 on June 16th, 2009

Had a great time down at Harbourfront watching Cirque De Soleil for Luminato on Saturday!

Didnt' get a chance to see the other stage at HTO park, but what I saw was definitely entertaining!

Libran77 has contributed a photo to this story.

ZenImagery

at 17:04 on June 16th, 2009

I was at the HTO park, and saw almost nothing haha I'll add I also near the front too, but had a tree blocking a lot of the show. It was still lots of fun though, the music and performers were amazing.

Astro Marus

at 19:23 on June 16th, 2009

I have been in Harbour Front for the past weekend just to chase them around. They were so awesome and I hope they will come again next year! 3.5 hrs to wait for the final show is totally worth it!