© CALQ
Jan Rok Achard, the great architect of circus arts development in Québec, followed his dreams with the focus of a trapeze artist. Fuelling major projects in performance arts, this visionary devoted his life to creation, production, presentation, and artistic training. Cofounder of the Cité des arts du cirque, TOHU, and the national group En Piste, he also directed the École nationale de cirque, tours for the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde’s Jeunes Comédiens, and theatre productions for the Collège Lionel-Groulx. Jan Rok Achard lists loitering as one of his leisure activities on his CV. Somehow, we doubt it.
In the wings of these mandates, Jan Rok Achard has acted as consultant and guided the foundation of 7 Doigts de la main. It’s no surprise that the expertise of this detector of inventive potential has been solicited internationally and that his influence has spread from north to south, including to Argentina and Palestine.
Jan Rok Achard is fueled by a flame that never goes out. That flame is in turn fed by encounters, debate, and even conflict, which he finds inspiring and sees as sparks of creation that are ideal for stimulating the expression of differences. He acknowledges his addiction to passion, his determination bordering on obsession, his chronic questioning, and his refusal of recognize limits. He considers every no a yes in the making. Loitering will have to wait.
© Arianne Bergeron / Alexandre Claude photographe
About the Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec
The Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec is a distinction bestowed by CALQ honouring those individuals who have played a prominent role in Québec's artistic development.
The CALQ would like to thanks its partners, the Caisse de la Culture and the newspaper Le Devoir.
List of recipients This link will open in a new window
© CALQ