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NEWS RELEASES

October 22, 1997 No. 168

QUEBEC CELEBRATES CANADA'S YEAR OF

ASIA PACIFIC

The Honourable Martin Cauchon, Secretary of State, Federal Office of Regional Development for Quebec, announced today that Quebec has hosted 49 cultural projects and will showcase a number of exceptional works this fall to mark Canada's Year of Asia Pacific (CYAP). Mr. Cauchon made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Upcoming events were highlighted at the opening of Fashioning Textiles, an exhibition of innovative fashions created by young Asian and Canadian designers using traditional textiles. The exhibition is one of many national projects touring across Canada that feature artists and performers from Asia Pacific to celebrate Canada's Year of Asia Pacific. Many of these national projects are made possible through the contribution of governments from Asia Pacific countries.

A variety of regional CYAP projects involving Quebec's arts and cultural communities have also been ongoing throughout the year. These regional projects in Quebec have received over $229 000 in funding through the CYAP cultural program of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

"This exceptional series of events to mark Canada's Year of Asia Pacific has enabled people in Quebec to witness first-hand the diverse cultures, practices and histories of countries in this region," said Mr. Cauchon. "I am delighted that these events are being so well received by Quebec audiences and that awareness of the importance of Asia Pacific is building."

Numerous CYAP projects are scheduled to take place in Montreal during the balance of the year, including:

a performance of Indian dance by the renowned Chandralehka Dance Group on November 1 at the Usine C.,

an exhibition of Asian television commercials on November 3 at the Cinéma le Faubourg, and

an exhibit of Indian editorial cartoons, in celebration of 50 years of Indian independence, from November 12 to 17 at Concordia University.

"Canada's Year of Asia Pacific is helping to strengthen and expand our relationship with the Asia Pacific region by promoting increased business opportunities, youth involvement and cultural exchanges," said Mr. Axworthy. "The CYAP cultural program celebrates Canada's cultural ties to the region and recognizes the contribution of Canada's cultural sector to strengthening our relations in Asia Pacific. It is another example of the federal government's efforts to facilitate new links with this dynamic part of the world."

The Government of Canada has designated 1997 as Canada's Year of Asia Pacific in honour of Canada's role as this year's chair of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum. Hundreds of activities have been held across the country, including business and trade seminars at the local and national level, cultural and youth events, and a series of APEC ministerial meetings. CYAP will culminate in the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Vancouver, November 24 to 25, when the Prime Minister will host economic leaders from Asia Pacific.

Funding for CYAP cultural projects has been provided for in the federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

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A listing of upcoming regional projects and national projects touring Quebec is attached.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

Elisabeth Boileau

Canada's Year of Asia Pacific

(514)653-0712

Visit the CYAP Web site at:

http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/~cyap-acap

For more information on CYAP cultural events, visit the CYAP Cultural Web site at: http://www.cyap.com

This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Canada's Year of Asia Pacific

The Cultural Component

National Touring Projects in Quebec

May 6-12 Eyes on ASEAN

Photographic journey through the ASEAN group of countries

Chapelle historique du Bon-pasteur, Montreal

June 24 Chang Mu Dance Company

Modern dance company from the Republic of Korea

Museum of Civilization, Hull

June 2-11 The North

One-person theatre show from Australia

Montreal, Carrefour, Rimouski

July 25-31 Asian Visions

Asian film festival

Cinéma du Parc

October 21- Fashioning Textiles

November 8 An exhibition of fashions by young Asian and Canadian designers

using traditional textiles

Marché Bonsecours, Montreal

November 1 Chandralekha Dance Group

Indian dance company

Usine C., Montreal

November 3 Asian Television Commercials

Festival of Asian television commercials

Cinéma le Faubourg, Montreal

November 12-17 Indian Editorial Cartoons

Fifty years of Indian independence seen through cartoonists' eyes

Concordia University, Montreal

November 27-28 H Art Chaos

All-female Japanese dance company

Agora de la Danse, Montreal

December Masterpieces of Chinese 20th Century Painting

Visual arts exhibition

The Museum of Civilization, Hull

CYAP Calendar of Upcoming Events