Dream on – and share the wealth.
That’s basically what Cirque du Soleil founder/owner/creative guide Guy Lalibert says he intends to do as the company celebrates its 25th anniversary within the context of a world economic crisis. "It has been 25 years of dreams,” he told a late-morning media gathering on the seventh floor of Cirque headquarters in the St. Michel district yesterday. ”And the dreams will continue.” Festivities will include: the launching of two new circuses (one in Montreal, the other in Las Vegas) a new book on Cirque costumes a compilation CD of the best of Cirque music and a special 45-minute fireworks tribute to the Cirque at the closing ceremony of this year’s international fireworks festival (L’International des Feux Loto-Qubec) at La Ronde. Lalibert insisted the Cirque is "very healthy, financially,” in spite of hard economic times. "We have accomplished our financial goals of last year. And so far, the first month of the year is exactly on target. And we hope we will be strong enough to go through the crisis,” he said. "But are we bullet-proof to a great depression Probably not.” Nobody is. But as one who doesn’t exactly have to worry about where the grocery money is coming from, Lalibert feels it’s time to proceed with humility, sobriety, simplicity – and generosity.
On the sharing theme, during 2009 at least three Cirque 25th anniversary opening night galas (Montreal, Quebec City and Toronto) will be expensive-ticket benefits with the proceeds going to Lalibert’s favourite charity, the ONE DROP Foundation, which aids access to drinking water in Third World countries.