Government of Canada Supports the Festival du Monde Arabe de Montréal
MONTRÉAL, October 28 2004 -- Member of Parliament (Ahuntsic) and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Social Development with special emphasis on Social Economy Eleni Bakopanos, on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla, today announced $10,000 in funding for the Alchimies, Créations et Cultures organization. The funds will allow the organization to hold the 5th Festival du Monde Arabe de Montréal, from October 29 to November 14."This major cross-cultural event celebrates Montréal's cultural diversity," said Ms. Bakopanos. "The Festival is the perfect opportunity to discover and appreciate the richness of Arab culture."
"These kinds of festivals encourage dialogue and openness among the different communities that make up Canadian society," said Minister Frulla. "This Festival specifically increases cultural exchange between Canada and countries from the Middle East and Maghreb."
The organizers of the 2004 Festival hope to attract a larger and more diverse audience by adding shows and diversifying its program, which features professional artists from Quebec, other provinces, and other countries. This year, the Festival features some 60 shows and events.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Arts Presentation Canada program. Arts Presentation Canada seeks to give Canadians more access to direct experiences of the diversity and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentation of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences provided by arts presenters. This program is part of the Tomorrow Starts Today initiative, which has been renewed for a fourth year, with $207 million in funding.
Funding announced today was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget.
Information:
Donald Boulanger
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
Marie-Chantal Hamel
Political Assistant
Office of Eleni Bakopanos
(514) 383-3709
Véronick Raymond
Director,
Public Affairs and Communications
Canadian Heritage-Quebec Region
(514) 283-7698
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