As Cirque du Soleil celebrates its 30th anniversary, the company opens the doors to a world usually reserved for the initiated. Since its inception in 1984 in Quebec, Cirque du Soleil has captured international audiences with its vibrant and imaginative performances. Taking readers behind the scenes, Backstage Cirque du Soleil allows them to discover this world from a new perspective. Backstage Cirque du Soleil is the fruit of a collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and the photographer Veronique Vial, who, through her unique lens, has examined the world behind the curtains for more than twenty years. With their touching humanity, Vial's photographs invite the reader into an intimate universe distilled to the most essential element of the beloved performances: behind each character, there is an artist. This luxurious and whimsical volume is complete with a note from Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte and captivates readers with an unparalleled behind-the-scenes experience. AUTHOR: Veronique Vial was born in France and has lived in California since 1989. She is known for her celebrity portraits and numerous publications, including 'A Day in the Life of Hollywood'. She received an American Photographic Artist (APA) award and a World Press Award in 1998 and has exhibited her work across the United States and France, at the International Festival of Photojournalism in Perpignan, among other places. 150 illustrations