Les Arts de la Rue

Upon arriving in Quebec City we noticed all kinds of people who performed in the streets of old Quebec. Musicians, dancers, pantomimes; you name it, it exists here. You also find all sorts of artistic statues smattered throughout the town. Our USM student group that will be travelling to Quebec next summer will even be attending a circus workshop. The street arts and the circus truly play a part in Quebecois culture.


Furthermore, it is not surprising that artists would feel welcome here since Quebec is the hometown of two famous, former, street artists, Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gauthier, who founded Le Cirque du Soleil in 1984. Last year for the 25th anniversary of Le Cirque du Soleil, Laliberté and Gauthier offered a free show to the people of Quebec during the summer season. This show was so popular, that it will run for free for the next five years during the summer months! As you can guess, we decided this was a must-see. If you’ve already seen a Cirque du Soleil show, you already know how difficult it is to truly describe; however, I will do my best for those of you who have sadly never had this unique experience. The Cirque is a mix of circus acts, street arts, and music from around the world put into a multimedia and artistic performance. One is transported into a mystical world where people have superhuman strength and can move with their bodies in ways one cannot even dream up. The Quebec show is not only special because is free to the public, but it also takes place outdoors under the freeway interchange; a place that is normally banal and desolate. The show was a definite trip highlight.