The Founder of the Quebec Circus School Loses His Life in a Sailing Accident - CircusTalk

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The Founder of the Quebec Circus School Loses His Life in a Sailing Accident

CircusTalk is sad to deliver the news of the loss of life of the influential circus school founder, Michel Rousseau. Our thoughts go out to his family, his friends, and the people whose lives he has touched over the years.

In a terrible loss for the circus world, the founder of the Quebec Circus School, Michel Rousseau, was found dead at the Portneuf Marina on Thursday. Aged 57, he had just bought a sailboat. Yves Neveu, who succeeded Michel Rousseau as the director of the circus school in 2004, said Rousseau’s death was due to an accident on his boat. His body was discovered on Thursday by divers although the search began on Wednesday night.

The circus world in Quebec is in mourning, according to Yves Neveu, “If Michel Rousseau had not been there, there would not have been the same flourishing of circus in Quebec City. It seems pretty obvious to me,” he adds. Michel Rousseau founded the École de cirque de QuĂ©bec in 1995. He got his start as a street artist, and he wanted to introduce young people to this profession.

Michel Rousseau also founded Cirque Éos in 1998 and was know by friends for always embarking on new challenges, including taking up sailing at the age of 57.

Read the Full Article in French at Radio Canada

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