The world-renowned Canadian-based Cirque du Soleil will hit Moscow on Saturday with its second show, Corteo, inside of its traveling big-top which is likely to turn into a permanent ring in Russia.
Cirque du Soleil was founded in 1984 in Montreal by a group of street performers that grew into an international integrated entertainment company with more than 5,000 people working to create performances throughout the world. The company has over 20 shows performing simultaneously around the world that mix theater, choreography, acrobatics and musical elements.
Moscow will be the third Russian city to see Cirque du Soleil's performance. After St. Petersburg and the city of Kazan, the capital will plunge into the "festival of life" for nearly two months.
The next and the most important of Cirque du Soleil's goal in regard to Russia is the establishment of a permanent presence in the country.
In February, during the Olympic Games in Vancouver, the vice-chairman of Cirque du Soleil Rus, Craig Cohon, said the company would invest $30-$50 million into the Russian project.
Cohon, whose father George Cohon brought McDonald's to Russia in 1990, has expansive experience in running businesses in this country. In early 90s, Cohon junior hammered out a Coca-Cola deal with Moscow.
"It took my father 14 years to bring McDonald's to Russia, it took me three years for Coca-Cola and one year for organizing Cirque Du Soleil's tour, so it is getting better, it is improving," said Cohon.
Now the company is holding talks with Russian private investors, businessmen, as well as with the government on building a permanent stage and circus facilities in the country.
RIA Novosti
