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NEWS RELEASES

September 4, 1997 No. 142

ONTARIO CELEBRATES CANADA'S YEAR OF

ASIA PACIFIC

The Honourable Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage, on behalf of the Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced today that a series of events in Ontario have received funding as part of the cultural component of Canada's Year of Asia Pacific (CYAP). Ms. Copps made the announcement at the Royal Ontario Museum, during the opening of Masterpieces of 20th Century Chinese Painting, an art exhibition featuring over 50 scroll paintings by artists from China and Hong Kong.

CYAP cultural projects in Ontario have received over $430 000 in funding and range from special events and visual arts exhibits to performances and workshops. In addition to cultural projects already underway, over the coming months a series of cultural projects travelling across the country and from abroad will also visit the province.

"I am very pleased to be announcing these projects today, which are bringing Canada's Year of Asia Pacific to life in Ontario," said Ms. Copps. "This special year of activity celebrates Canada's ties to the region and is an opportunity to showcase Canada's cultural sector, as well as leading artists from Asia Pacific. The CYAP cultural program recognizes the contribution of Canada's cultural industries to strengthening both our commercial and cultural links to Asia Pacific."

Ms. Copps also noted that other prominent CYAP events will take place in Toronto this fall.

Fishing Baskets of Asia Pacific, at the York Quay Gallery from September 5 to 26, will feature contemporary hand-crafted fishing baskets, nets and crafts from across the region. The exhibition explores fishing culture and materials and highlights the economic importance of fishing to the lives of people in Asia Pacific. The exhibition opened this summer in Lunenburg and will travel to Victoria in October.

The Indian dancer Chandralehka, her dancers and musicians will conduct an extensive Canadian tour this fall with performances in Toronto at the Premier Dance Theatre from November 4 to 8. Ms. Chandralehka will create a collaborative work with Toronto Dance Theatre,

which will be premiered from December 2 to 13. A leading interpreter of classical Indian and modern dance, Ms. Chandralehka is recognized as one of the most important voices on the contemporary Indian cultural scene.

CYAP funding will also support The Energy of Asian Design, a major exhibit of the best of contemporary Asian design, on October 17 at Harbourfront Centre.

"Canada's ties to Asia Pacific are strong. These ties are reflected in many ways, especially in the growing trade, investment and cultural links between our country and the economies of the region," said Mr. Axworthy. "Canada's Year of Asia Pacific will help strengthen and expand our relationship with this important region by promoting increased business opportunities, youth involvement and cultural exchanges."

The Government of Canada has designated 1997 as Canada's Year of Asia Pacific in honour of its role as this year's chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Activities planned across the country throughout the year include business and trade seminars at the local and national level, cultural and youth events, as well as a series of APEC ministerial meetings. CYAP will culminate in the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November, when the Prime Minister will host economic leaders from Asia Pacific in Vancouver.

Ontario will take on an even greater role in these activities as host of the APEC Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) Ministerial Meeting and SME Business Forum and Exposition, to be held September 17-19 in Ottawa.

Funding for these projects has been provided for in the February 1997 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

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A list of upcoming Ontario CYAP-funded events is attached.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

Ruth Wieder

CYAP Regional Media Coordinator

(416) 484-7770

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

Upcoming Ontario CYAP-Funded Projects

For a complete list of projects in Ontario, visit the CYAP cultural Web site at: www.cyap.com.