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<title>MONTREAL MP ATTENDS OPENING OF YEAR-LONG CULTURAL FESTIVAL IN GREECE</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">January 31, 1997 No. 16</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">MONTREAL MP ATTENDS OPENING OF YEAR-LONG CULTURAL
FESTIVAL IN GREECE</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Eleni Bakopanos,
Member of Parliament for Saint-Denis, is representing Canada at the opening
ceremonies (January 30 to February 1) of the year-long cultural festival in
Thessaloniki, Greece.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Thessaloniki has been designated Europe's Cultural Capital for 1997, a concept
that was initiated 20 year ago by Melina Mercouri, former actress and Greek
Minister of Culture.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada's presence as the second-largest foreign participant in the festival is an
expression of the importance of culture as the third pillar of Canadian foreign
policy," said Mr. Axworthy. "Our participation will give impetus to Canada/Greece
bilateral relations and promote closer ties between our two countries."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, in co-operation with
the private sector, is providing financial assistance to a number of Canadian
artists and cultural organizations to participate in the Thessaloniki Festival,
including Nexus -- a percussion ensemble from Toronto, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet
and Montreal's LaLaLa Human Steps dance company.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Catherine Lappe</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Director of Communications</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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