From a group of 20 street performers in 1984, Cirque du Soleil has grown to become a major Québec-based organization, with more than 4,000 employees, including 1000 performing artists. Until the end of 2008, Cirque du Soleil will be presenting 17 shows simultaneously throughout the world. Cirque du Soleil has received such prestigious awards as the Emmy, Drama Desk, Gémeaux, Félix, and Rose d'Or de Montreux.