The big tent of Cirque du Soleil has already been installed in the Old Port of Montreal

Starting this Wednesday afternoon, the large blue and yellow tent that will host Cirque du Soleil’s new show, Amaluna, was erected in the Old Port of Montreal, starting April 19.

The ambitious operation, which after several years has become a tradition of the city, requires the participation of more than a hundred workers, which gives the appearance of a large construction site on the Quai Jacques-Cartier. The team proceeded, from the inside, to raise the tent before the impressed eyes of journalists (who had to use orange and yellow vests and cases as a protective measure) and the applause of 52 artists who will soon be in the body of Amaluna.

“The installation of the tent is a very important event that marks the arrival of the Circus to the city,” explained Jaume Reilly, tour director of Cirque du Soleil, who considers the event to be a grand moment every year.

“It’s a tradition all over the world. Today was more symbolic for us because there were a lot of people,” the director explained, adding that this year the team is made up of 52 people from around 20 nationalities.

It is still too early to reveal details about Amaluna, but it was learned that much more information will be given at the beginning of April. Reilly did not hesitate to say that it is a work of great quality.

In numbers

• The tent is 19 meters high and is supported by four poles of 25 meters each. It has a diameter of 51 meters.
• Its capacity is more than 2,600 places.
• 60 trailers are needed to move the structure from city to city.
• The Vell Port structure has the tent, a red carpet, the box office, administrative offices, physiotherapy facilities for the acrobats, a kitchen and a breakfast room.

Perr Redacción NM – Foto: Agencia QMI