anniversary of Canada’s discovery by Jacques Cartier, and they needed a show that would carry the festivities out across the province.
Guy Laliberté presented a proposal for a show called Cirque du Soleil (Circus of the Sun), and succeeded in convincing the organizers.
And so Cirque’s very first show travelled Quebec. It was to be a one-year project, but then Guy Laliberté persuaded the Quebec government that a Cirque du Soleil tour would be perfect for International Youth Year in 1985, the following year. And Cirque du Soleil hasn’t stopped since!

Cirque du Soleil’s creativity and daring soon earned it a place of distinction among Canada’s cultural enterprises. The characteristic style of its shows was unlike anything then being done in the country. Cirque du Soleil’s shows are a blend of street arts, theatre, dance, and music, in a staging highlighted by wondrous lighting and costumes.

1987: a pivotal year
After a Canadian tour, Cirque du Soleil was eager to try its luck in the United States, and in 1987, it took the plunge. The Quebec delegation to Los Angeles had tried to persuade the organizers of the Los Angeles Festival to present a Cirque du Soleil show, but met with refusal (an “art” festival is no place for a circus!). Then, after seeing a performance, the organizers accepted and an agreement was signed. It gave the troupe no funding of any kind, but in exchange, the Cirque du Soleil show would open the festival and the troupe could keep all the box office revenues.

At that time, Cirque du Soleil’s financial situation was very precarious. There was enough money to take the troupe to the festival, but not to come back. If the show failed, it meant the end of a crazy dream. Still, Guy Laliberté took the risk of going, staking everything on success. And it paid off! Cirque du Soleil became the “in thing” in Los Angeles and the gates to Uncle Sam’s country were opened wide. As the cradle of Cirque du Soleil’s first success abroad, the west coast of the States became a symbolic region that Cirque has visited regularly since 1987.

Europe, Asia, and . . .
After the United States, looking for new markets to conquer, Cirque du Soleil set its sights on Europe and Asia. In 1990, it made its first venture onto European soil, stopping for just a few weeks in England and France. But it wasn’t until 1995 that the organization began taking shows to Europe for sustained tours. Japan first saw Cirque du Soleil arrive in 1992, and subsequently welcomed several tours. The Asia-Pacific region was officially courted in 1999, and then, in 2002, Cirque du Soleil’s big top rose in Central America for the first time, in Mexico City.
Photo 4
Cirque du Soleil has not finished taking its dream around the globe. The organization continues to explore new markets, in an effort to delight the widest possible audience.

Creation at the very heart of the organization At a pace of one new production per year, Cirque du Soleil is following its dream with all the daring of twenty years ago. The organization allows its creators the freedom to dream the wildest dreams – and make them a reality. As well as conceiving shows, Cirque du Soleil provides creative content for a host of projects, each more unique than the last. In its commitment to creativity and its determination to go beyond its limits, Cirque du Soleil strives to breathe energy and spirit into its new projects – the same energy and spirit that enliven all of its shows. The organization has adopted the noble mission of invoking the imagination, provoking the senses, and evoking the emotions of those who come in contact with its projects. These projects must meet the same criteria of originality and artistic quality as the shows, and they are equally magical.

Ten years of social action at Cirque du Soleil
We couldn’t celebrate Cirque du Soleil’s twentieth birthday without mentioning the tenth anniversary of the organization’s first social action program, Cirque du Monde. Cirque du Soleil’s social action programs are rooted in the conviction that the arts foster young people’s personal and communal development. The foundations and values underpinning the organization’s social action arise from its own history, in which youth, risk, dream, and marginality came together to yield a vision of a better world.

For ten years now, Cirque du Monde has been using the circus arts as an innovative, proactive way to raise the self-esteem of vulnerable youth. Not all young people necessarily have the desire or the potential to become professional circus artists, and such is not the goal. Cirque du Monde favours an instructional approach that combines artistic expression and social intervention. Circus workshops have been held here and there around the world for the last ten years, in collaboration with community groups that work with youth in difficulty. Last year, Cirque du Monde gave circus workshops at nearly 40 sites on all five continents, reaching hundreds of young people.

A few anecdotes

• The name “Cirque du Soleil” came to Guy Laliberté while he was admiring a magnificent sunset on a trip to Hawaii. He had the idea of looking up the word “soleil” (French for “sun”) in the dictionary of symbols, and found that it signified youth, dynamism, and energy.

• Before the press conference in Sainte-Thérèse announcing Cirque du Soleil’s participation in the 1984 celebrations for the 450th anniversary of Canada’s discovery by Jacques Cartier, the 800-seat big top fell down!

• Cirque du Soleil’s first steps outside Quebec’s borders were difficult. In 1985, the troupe decided to perform in Niagara Falls, because an impressive number of tourists stop there. The problem is, those tourists only stay in town for an average of 45 minutes!

• Before they were united under one roof in 1997, Cirque du Soleil’s employees were scattered around Montreal at various locations. The organization has had 16 different Montreal addresses!

To run Cirque du Soleil’s operations today:
• Over 1,300 applications for visas and work permits are required.
• More than 5,000 airline tickets are issued.
• Financial transactions are conducted in some fifteen currencies.
• Approximately 150 people are hired in every city where the big top is raised.

Photo 2: Fire dance act in the show Alegría currently touring in Europe. Photo: Camirand © Cirque du Soleil Inc. Costumes : Dominique Lemieux.
Photo 3: Powertrack artists in the show Alegría currently touring in Europe Photo: Fuji Japan. Costumes: Dominique Lemieux.
Photo 4: Tamir duo in the show Alegría currently touring in Europe. Photo: Camirand © Cirque du Soleil Inc. Costumes: Dominique Lemieux.

Rajnet Publishing, April 20, 2007. The text has been sent by the Cirque du Soleil Inc.






















































































The name might not sound familiar but if you have ever spent your holidays in Spain or France and you are fond of leisure parks there is a big chance you have visited one of Aspro’s parks. With 31 parks in 7 European countries ASPRO is the largest leisure park operator in Europe.

Its parks include almost any type you can imagine although approximately half of them are water parks under the brand name of Aqualand. There are 14 Aqualands located in Spain, France and Portugal featuring fantastic water attractions for all ages. A true commitment to entertainment and safety, an attractive food and drink offer and perfect environments to enjoy yourself with family or friends are some of Aqualand’s trademarks. Among all these parks it is worth emphasizing Aqualand El Arenal, in Majorca, one of Europe’s largest water parks. Aqualand El Arenal is located in a top tourist destination and it features 15 water attractions, which make it a perfect option for an unforgettable day.

Almost as popular as its water parks are Aspro’s dolphinariums and marine zoos: Marineland, in Majorca and Catalonia (Mediterranean Sea) as well as their “brother” Boudewijn Seaprk in Brugge (Belgium). Outstanding dolphin and sea lion exhibitions are waiting for you there and in Aqualand Costa Adeje, in Tenerife. Besides great shows, some of them offer more surprises: some have water attractions and some have many marine species such as penguins, rays, sharks or seals.

Aspro is also a European leader in managing aquaria and currently there are four of them in as many countries. Barcelona (Spain), Lyon (France), Edinburgh (Scotland) and (Ellesmere Port) England host fabulous facilities dedicated to marine life, aiming to entertain and inform but also to create awareness of the great dangers that threaten our environment. For those who enjoy nature, animals and wildlife Aspro has, in the Canary Islands, two animal parks located in spectacular natural surroundings. Jungle Park is the only jungle in Europe, in Tenerife, whereas Palmitos Park is located within an impressive ravine in Gran Canaria. Also, if you prefer a combination of two activities, how about the mix of a safari and a water park? Discover Aqualeón, the only park of its kind, near the Mediterranean coast. Aspro’s last acquisition was a commitment to leisure in Northern Europe, namely in Finland, with the Puuharyhmä Oyj Group. This group manages five leisure parks/centres that are now part of the Aspro family including attraction parks, water park and even a ski resort. In short, it is very likely that you have visited an Aspro park/centre. If you have not, click here and discover where they are, what they can offer and when you can visit them ASPRO/PARQUES. Unforgettable moments are waiting for you!

Entire text and photographs have been sent to us by the Aspro Madrid Published under the permission of Aspro by Rajnet Publishing. All rights reserved. March 15, 2007,
























THE SUCCESS OF AN IDEA The DNA and history of “Parco di Gardaland”
"Morbin" – a local term - is a side to Verona area people: it is “the other side” of a local instinct recognised for obstinacy and dedication. The combination of two factors – stubbornness and creative flair – which has created so much success in various fields and one which has moulded original and free-thinking entrepreneurs.
This bedrock made the opening of Gardaland possible in 1975, and its rapid expansion. Today, this is the number one amusement park in Italy, and one on par with top European and World class attractions. But to business creativity alone, we must immediately add another ingredient: geographical location. A location on the shores of Italy’s largest lake, in a lower Alpine environment of unsurpassable beauty, home to Gardaland. Moreover, its precise position is a few kilometres away from the most important Italian communication routes plus those connecting Europe. Within a radius of two to twelve kilometres, we find three motorway junctions on the Brenner and Serenissima axes, a railway station on the Milan-Venice line and “Catullo” airport at Verona Villafranca. Gardaland is easy to reach, by all means and from whatever direction.
But let’s start at the beginning. In the early Seventies, a group of Verona businessmen returned enthusiastically from a trip to California, believing that they could create a small copy of “Disneyland” at Lake Garda. The idea gelled – and there was nothing else of its kind in Italy – on land measuring 90 thousand square metres at Castelnuovo, Ronchi district, and to be clear, not an area considered as “offering the most” in Garda tourism at the time. Excavation began in February 1975 and within a few months work intensified with assembly of the first attractions. Work continued and the Park was inaugurated on 19 July 1975. The initiative immediately attracted the public, it was liked, amazed adults and children, opening up a magical land among the marvels of a natural area already impressive in itself.

At the beginning, there were only small attractions, with young artists exhibiting over a fixed daily schedule. In the "Villaggio Rio Bravo" (Rio Bravo Village) a western stage-play could be enjoyed with cowboys, sheriffs and shoot-outs, which kept visitors entertained for a few minutes. In the afternoon there was an "assalto al treno" (train robbery) to thrill travellers on the "Transgardaland Express"; the show was only staged on Sundays or on the days of busiest attendance. But one aspect was immediately understood:
imagination and creativity at placed at the forefront. Nevertheless, attention to visitors, and the quality of the services are just as important. This is how Gardaland quickly gained its unique identity.

Several times a day, dolphins could be admired in the large swimming pool. The price was 1,750 Lira. In the first year, the Park opened for 175 days, welcoming almost 100 thousand visitors and taking around 140 million Lira. This was real success.

In years 1976, '77 and '78 the number of visitors and turnover increased at more than 50% per year. In particular, in 1978 the number of visitors reached 465 thousand and there were now 125 employees.
Years 1979 to ’82 saw consolidation with visitor attendance growing at less heady levels. In any event between 1976 and ’82 it reached 21 attractions, with new ones added each year. The themes are adventure, fairy tales, and nature. The simpler structures were continuously modernised and the novelties enthralled the public. Returning to Gardaland was always a surprise. In 1984, while the Park was purchasing new land for the construction of the "Colorado Boat" and "Magic Mountain" attractions, night time opening was decided on in summer months, and the threshold of one million visitors was passed. The following year, the two new attractions entered service meeting immediate public success, to the extent that by the end of the season visitor numbers had risen to one million 272 thousand, an increase of 24 percent.

In 1986 the Park area was again enlarged and Gardaland acquired the "Ruota Panoramica", "Prezzemolo Tour" (with, “Prezzemolo” becoming the Park’s mascot), and the "Three-dimensional Cinema". At the same time, work began on building the first large theme attraction complex, “The Valley of Kings”. Also the “Aladino” self-service restaurant opened to the public. Visitors were now more than one million 400 thousand and total turnover exceeded 14 thousand million Lira.

The “Valley of Kings” was inaugurated in 1987 with the impressive “Piazza Suk” (Suk Square) alongside.
1988 also saw strong growth. The two-storey “Horse Carousel” was added; the “Teatro Tenda” circus was transformed into the "Teatro Azzurro", and the Luna Park area was renewed. And yet more attractions were being conjured up: in fact, the works to construct the "I Corsari" (The Corsairs), began for the second large “dark” ride.
In 1989 the number of visitors exceeded 2.5 million and turnover reached 46 thousand million Lira. Growth meant that the Park was ever more better, attentively and precisely organised. In this light and to provide guests with a more uniform standard of service, Gardaland decided to introduce direct management of all the catering outlets and shops, run by other concerns until this time.

The work was incessant and complicated. The Nineties opened with the creation of the "Cinema Dinamico" (Dynamic Cinema). And a new record was hit in 1991: turnover reached 78 thousand million Lira. In 1992, the “I Corsari” attraction was finally completed, the most impressive and costly created to-date, located in a special English style zone. The financial commitment, witnessing the entrepreneurial courage of the “Gardaland” company, led to realignment of the financial structure. In ’93, the Park added the "Top Spin", "Moon Raker" and "Ortobrucotour" attractions with an investment of 10 thousand million Lira.

An agreement was signed with the Mattel multinational to celebrate the 35th anniversary of "Barbie". For this event a tensostructure was erected in the Park to house a historical exhibition of the most commercially successful doll in the world. But 1995 marked another anniversary: the twentieth birthday of Gardaland. The managerial make-up had grown. Twenty years of Gardaland had also created an exceptional tourism flow to the Lake territory: all operators in the area had experienced a notable increase in numbers in their structures. And again, spin-off had been developed locally, creating new work opportunities.

The twentieth birthday offered the occasion to prepare a future development plan, based on the following pillars: making the Park suitable for entertaining adults and youngsters, instead of just children; introducing educational entertainment to attract fresh markets. In a nutshell, quality in the choice of attraction themes, impulse for a new and dynamic image. The business development models would pass via a collection of specific user segments (schools, companies, association groups) and by broadening product exploitation, with special themed openings.
Also, the foreign-visitor market, taking summer holidays at Lake Garda, to be reached by targeted advertising and promotion aided by improved means of transport. Each market sector requires a different offer in terms of entertainment and attractions and Gardaland committed itself to grow in order to satisfy all these specific needs.
A new system of car parks was created, internal transit was improved, as was pedestrian circulation. Guests could more easily reach the entrances and this meant that they could stay longer.
In 1997 Gardaland inaugurated the largest dolphin attraction in Italy. A massive structure holding more than 4 million litres of water and hosting 1,700 spectators to enjoy the magic, and still partly mysterious world of dolphins. In 1998, Gardaland opened with novelties conceived and created to reward guests with fun, relaxation and a few more thrills. An area equal to half the existing area was annexed to the Park and equipped to make guest visits even more comfortable. Extreme care was taken over equipping and organising the green area – home to three absolutely new attractions in Italy and of great European importance, dedicated to youngsters and families. This area is arranged as a space for relaxation which in between exiting spectacle offers a little time for enjoying the magnificent natural context. The greater availability of space makes for a more relaxing atmosphere, better distribution of visitor flows, even on the busiest days.
More space and more attractions: this is where Gardaland puts its heart. Special attention is paid to youngsters searching for “heart-pounding emotion” which today the Park offers with safe adventures. This explains three attractions certain to “pump adrenalin”, even in the bravest: "Blue Tornado", "Space Vertigo" and "Jungle Rapids" these are now the great novelties. But there is also a another feature: the Laser Show, a modern poly-functional tensostructure – surface area 1,120 square metres – and 540 seats – in the new area.

1999 saw Gardaland change “look”, a modern and fairytale style at the same time. The most important creations are “Tunga”, a new attraction set in Black Africa; and again, the real-scale reconstruction of a Tornado, immortalised on take-off above the Blue Tornado “Base” and the futuristic setting of the "Space Vertigo" pre-show.
In 2000 Gardaland opened "Flying Island", a circular, panoramic platform modelled on a “spaceship” lifting passengers up to 50 metres above the surrounding area, affording views of the magic spectacle of Lake Garda and surrounding areas. Again in 2000, a larger, friendlier and important access area was created to the park: a new large square with new ticket offices where fountains and cascades, music and water shows welcome.

The square and fountains, with their dazzling surprises are all illuminated by night, creating a dream atmosphere in the entry area. The Services Centre was also created, reference and service point for the now extremely numerous staff; a large structure which from outside looks like a western fortress with guard towers.
The "Covo dei Bucanieri" (Buccaneers’ Hideout) fast food outlet was also created – Tudor style – in the "Villaggio Inglese" (English Village). Seating is arranged on a raised floor in an area decorated with casks, ship masts, period pictures wooden boxes and caskets: all reminding of the ancient pirate world.
The, “Camelot” shop was created in the “medieval square” next to the "Castello di Mago Merlino" (Merlin’s magic castle) (above the “Antico Feudo” bar). The magic of medieval times is reproduced in its colours, sounds, and settings. The “Locanda del Corsaro Nero” (Black Corsair’s Inn) is an especially impressive restaurant. Here, visitors may take lunch inside a scenography figuring a large square in which lighting effects offer changes of mood: from dawn to sunset, from clear skies to cloud, from a storm to the stars of a splendid summer’s evening.

In 2000 the Park was enlivened for Gardaland’s 25th anniversary with parties, fireworks, as well as song, magic and skill exhibitions. The “event of the month” was organised with artists from different ethnic groups belonging to the areas of the respective themes. Again, “the “Teatro dei Burattini”(Puppet Theatre) was offered to the public, a spectacle of giant puppets resembling the three main characters of the Park: Prezzemolo, Bambù and TiGey.
On 26 May 2001, Gardaland inaugurated "Fantasy Kingdom", the largest area dedicated to children in Europe. This new area capable of involving the entire family, concretises the feeling of finding oneself in a world where every element – from the attractions to the catering and architecture – conveys fantasy, magic, and dreams. All the scenography of "Fantasy Kingdom" was created in the Gardaland workshops: more than 50 sculptures including five metre high giraffes, elephants, monkeys, bears and rabbits ranging in height from two to three metres. Also, the entry portals to the various zones, natural sized houses, giant chimney pots, gigantic wooden toys… all in cartoon style.

In producing the scenography, a process was used for the first time in Italy foreseeing the entire creation of the sculptures: from the illustrations and technical drawings to the work ready to be installed, everything takes place inside the Gardaland Art Department.
In the “Fantasy Kingdom” area we find five attractions: "DoReMiFarm", "Funny Express", "Il Teatro delle Marionette ", "Salto Matto" and "Volaplano". At this point, the Park had reached a global extension of 460 thousand square metres.

2001 demonstrated increased Park enjoyment: the major novelties of the year are "l'Isola dei Dinosauri", (Dinosaur Island) a fantastic 4D virtual experience where we are suddenly thrown back to the Jurassic and "Aquatic Show" a great spectacle where thousands of water jets dance to the rhythm of music.
Visitors from southern Italy and abroad increased, especially from Germany, Austria and Yugoslavia. In the following year, "Fantasy Kingdom" was completed with "Albero di Prezzemolo" (Prezzemolo’s Tree), the fantastic house-tree where the Park mascot lives in funnily decorated rooms all for visiting. The impressive tree, over 25 metres high, rises up from a reinforced concrete base above the “Magic House” – a house in which everything turns upside down, as if by magic; the floor takes the place of the ceiling, the walls turn, and the visitors with them: lights, sounds and special effects all add to great emotional involvement.

The fantastic tree, positioned at the centre of "Fantasy Kingdom", was inaugurated by the Minister of Productive Activities, Antonio Marzano. But the 2002 novelties did not finish here: an extremely large tensiostructure, capable of holding up to 2,000 spectators was created to offer a high level show: "Fantasy on Ice", a musical tale entirely danced on ice by the best artists from one of the leading skating schools in the world. In the meantime Nau was born, the small daughter dolphin of Betty and Robin at the Gardaland “Palablu”. In fact, “Palablu” offers the best conditions for dolphins and Nau grew healthily, regularly weaned by her mother. It is not by chance that the National Research Council (CNR) has chosen this structure as a stable base since 1997 for studying the language and socialisation of these extraordinary mammals.

Again during 2002, the up-and-running official Park internet site www.gardaland.it was restyled and during 2001 it was visited by more than 800 thousand persons. On the back of this success, “web presence” was strengthened with tweaks to make it more efficient and easier to use. Today more than two million people visit the site every year. One section of the site is dedicated to “Incoming Gardaland”, the Park tour operator, where various information and booking services reserved for individuals, families and groups are presented with attractive graphics. Personalised estimates can be requested “on-line” and the closest travel agency is identified automatically.
Another interesting site section is the “Fans Club". This is entirely dedicated to our fans; a kind of totally free virtual community where you can always find out about novelties and gossip, and personally join in promotions and special initiatives.

But let’s leave the “web” because Gardaland’s history never ceases to amaze - the wealth of its significant strides, makes it an extremely interesting “case history”. In October 2002, Gardaland prepared a great surprise for its visitors: it presented an event unique for Italian amusement parks, Halloween party. During October weekends, visitors find the essential elements of this traditional event a little everywhere: pumpkins, witches, monsters and ghosts. Adults, youngsters and children make themselves up and dress up to resemble the strangest characters.

In December Gardaland opened its doors for the first time in winter, to share the great year-end festivities with visitors. On this occasion in a magical atmosphere with “ad hoc” scenography, there is a Christmas market in typical Tyrolean style. But there is more: among the tents of Laplanders, elves and persons dressed in appropriate costume, we find the house of Father Christmas and Prezzemolo, now Gardaland’s ambassador. Pine trees of all kinds and sizes are decorated and illuminated and there are also garlands and lights, artificial snow, animated snow puppets and ice sculptures.

On this special occasion, the heart of the Park can be enjoyed by way of a special mix of outdoor attractions, combined with yet more under cover, many catering areas and a rich program of shows. The ideal route starts from "Piazza di Mago Merlino", the site of the Christmas market; we go up on the “Giostra Cavalli” (Horse Carousel) and then cross the "Fantasy Kingdom" area where all the attractions are open; a pause in the "Teatro delle Marionette" (Puppet theatre) where Prezzemolo and his friends perform renditions of Christmas carols. At the Ice-rink, visitors can admire a splendid Christmas theme show, where the skaters are authentic Olympic champions. Next, to “The Spectacular 4D Aventure", the "I Corsari" area, the “Valle dei Re", the "Palablu" with the dolphin show, and to the "Convention Center” to listen to the best fairytales connected with winter and Christmas traditions. The day ends with the "Christmas Parade", a luminous parade crossing Gardaland with various floats illuminated by thousands of lights, including Father Christmas on his sleigh drawn by reindeers. Dulcis in fundo, a firework spectacle. This initiative, so significant and complex is the beginning of a new tradition for celebrating Christmas in the Park.

After its successes of 2002, Gardaland proposed a spectacular attraction in 2003 aimed at youngsters and families: "Fuga da Atlantide" (Escape from Atlantis). This attraction covers an area of a good 12 thousand square metres and is based on being carried in boats, each holding twenty persons; the setting is the mysterious world of Atlantis, with storms, gateways and mysterious warriors. There are two descents over rapids, respectively twelve and nineteen metres high making this attraction the highest water run in Europe "Fuga da Atlantide" is completed by a rich scenography with two thousand square metres of reproduced rocks, more than one hundred sculptures including columns, ruins, stones, arches, gateways, and marine grottos, symbols (the magic triangle, dolphins, and monsters), sacrificial altars and mythological figures including a massive, eleven metre high Neptune. This impressive attraction was also highly successful during the 2004 season and is the nth demonstration of Gardaland’s ability to continuously renew itself, to keep on growing with proven professionalism and passion, to meet public expectations, to unleash its fantasy and never disappoint.

2004 was certainly important for the creation of the Gardaland Hotel Resort: 236 rooms, 5 suites, 6 superior suites, 5 meeting rooms, 2 games rooms, a splendid aquatic area surrounded by greenery and numerous other services, worthy of a 4 star hotel. This was an “ground-change” event for the Park as it marked its passage from being an attraction for hours of fun into a real, longer-stay destination, an authentic holiday resort. Once inside the hotel, the Park’s atmosphere is immediately noticeable, brimming with Gardaland style. Here, the result, the dream, is the sum of care over details, passion impelling towards perfection, a harmonic work of first rate professionalism. Apart from the financial results, up to leading European levels, it is not a fluke that Gardaland is comparable to the best theme parks in the world in terms of quality. A place not by chance for dreaming with eyes-wide-open, as far as possible.

In 2005, Gardaland focussed its attention on teenagers and young adults with the debut of Sequoia Adventure: a roller coaster which instead of being speed based as usual, develops adrenalin from the sensation of the void and from the many 180° standing-on-head moments in “slow-down” conditions. Developed by an American company – a world leader in building heady attractions - “Sequoia Adventure”“ is the first ride of its kind in the world.

On 10 June 2006, The Number-One-Fun-Park in Italy and Fifth in the world according to the prestigious American Forbes magazine presented the new “Gardaland Theatre”: a spectacular structure not just as a showcase for entertaining Gardaland guests, but also as a singular location for meetings, incentives and television productions.
This is a majestic Deco style theatre, accommodating up to 1,300 spectators. The new impressive structure has a total volume of around 24,000 cubic metres – 6,500 of which beneath ground level.
– while the height ranges from 7 metres at the orchestration area to 11.5 metres at the foot of the stage. Apart from the spectator area and circle, the theatre has a large, welcoming foyer, 15 dressing rooms for more than fifty artists, an audition room, storehouses and a large and efficient costume department, laundry, offices, etc.

Given the great importance of the shows staged over a day spent at the Park, Gardaland – always attentive to changing guest demands – decided to stage an innovative and extremely high level spectacle inside its new and extremely prestigious theatre: “Broadway Celebration”, a collection of the most successful American successes of the second half of the twentieth century.

Entire text has been sent to us by Gardaland. The text and photographs are copyrighted by Gardaland September 2006. All rights reserved

POLISH JURASSIC PARK

Sponsored Article
If Poland’s Jurassic park in Baltow would have existed before Steven Spielberg's "Jurassic Park" was made, certainly the famous director would have visited Poland quite often simply to help himself and his team in his own famous production.

There are many reasons why it is worth visiting Jurassic Park in Baltow.

To start with, it is the first true theme park in Poland with an edu-tainment function. Though there is currently the "Rocky Dinosaurs Valley" in Chorzow, (in the south of Poland), with several prehistoric villages, here you can feel as if you’re visiting a real world from hundreds of millions of years ago.
60 figures of dinosaurs (professionally hand made from a fiber glass and polyester resin in a 1:1 scale), everyday watch hundreds of children and adults who come here from all around Poland and abroad. Figures were made by one of the best European paleo-sculptors, Krzysztof Kuchnio.

The 6-acre park consists of several parts: There is the interesting Jurassic museum, designed by geologist Piotr Menducki; a charming theme playground for children - with hidden dinosaur bones in the sand to be “discovered” by kids; ponds and falls with very clear water and plenty of happy fish in it; a souvenir shop with prices that fit the pocketbook; and most of all - professionally designed didactical routes with precise descriptions of figures and epochs.

For designers, the most important thing was to integrate as many possible educational features in the park’s concept. Scientific care of the park is in the hands of the State Geological Institute
There is no better, more interesting and more attractive classes for children than in Baltow Park. This is an ideal place for the organizing of so called "green schools," seminars, scientist conventions, art practices, picnics and mass events. For all who are lovers of appetizing food there is delicious, grilled trout served in the park restaurant, and many other specialties of Polish cuisine. No dinosaur courses are served yet! An original park theme, having tidiness, beautiful landscaping and nice customer service, are always necessary ingredients for success and here indeed it works.

There are many texts written about how the park was invented but it is good to mention that the village of Baltow, located 123 miles south-east of Warsaw, was chosen for the dinosaurs’ home not simply by chance. Just on this territory’s surroundings of Swietokrzyskie Mountains there exist many dinosaur traces that have been discovered. Mrs. Halina Kisiel, vice-president of Delta Association, which built and still operate the park, said that everything began from the Devil's Foot, a rocky hill nearby, where Dr. Gerard Gierliński from the State Institute of Geology discovered a beast of Allosaurs traces, imprinted in the Jura era.

The opening of the Jurassic Park in Baltow has significantly improved the tourism value of the whole Swietokrzyski region and promoted Poland as an Eastern European country where such a kind of themed attraction can be found.

Recently, more attractions have been built around this spot. There is a 700 meter-long modern ski slope. A hotel is planned to be built in the old mill house facility. It is a must to have a nice hotel, as there is a whole area worth your staying longer than one day.

Very close to the park there is Kamienna River with its 4-kilometer long flow and rafting excursion. Passengers may get off their rafts just at the park gate’s entrance! Due to its beautiful landscape the whole area is called "Baltow Switzerland". Our village is located several kilometers to the northeast of Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski and there are busses connecting these places. There is also a bus line between the cities of Kielce and Lipsko.

For those tourists who love horses there is a riding school nearby as part of the whole complex. Professional instructors give riding lessons to children and adults. There is a pony called Szuwarek (Bulrusher), a favorite horse for the youngest of the generation which is a must for every photo picture made here. "Big All" (the Allosaours), who stays nearby the paddock, is probably quite jealous because of this.

Colorful advertisements, located inside the park, invites visitors to another big attraction of the whole area - one of Europe’s biggest complexes of flint mines, at Krzemionki near Ostrowiec Świetokrzyski. It’s a perfectly preserved ground landscape and underground structure. The mining field is located in an area of the Jurassic Upper Oxfordian limestone outcrop, in a syncline edge. There is an Archeological Museum and Reserve there.

The cost for the Baltow Jurassic Park was about 1 million US dollars and the EU Sapard Program was one of the source of its funding.

Mrs. Kisiel is really happy due to its increasing number of visitors, and also because the park gave employment to almost 80 people in the area where the unemployment rate is one the highest in Poland. Many other firms and peoples are employed part-time as well. The edu-tainment character of Baltow Jurassic Park was very important in the process for inventing it.

Development of other attractions are possible thanks to its increasing number of visitors. In 2005 the park was visited by 130,000 paying guests. Dinosaurs models, a park museum, a restaurant, and a horse paddock are all located on the 6-acre land and there are projects to develop the attractions even 4-times bigger area than this.

VISIT BALTOWSKI PARK JURAJSKI WEB SITE

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