<html>
<head>
<meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8">
<title>WINNIPEG TO HOST THREE INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL PROJECTS</title>
</head>
<body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0">
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">February 22, 1999 <em>(4:25 p.m. EST)</em> No. 36 </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">WINNIPEG TO HOST THREE </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL PROJECTS </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy announced three international projects drawing on the cultural resources of
Winnipeg's music and dance community. Two of the projects will add a cultural element to the Pan Am Games,
which will be held in Winnipeg in the summer of 1999. The other will add a cultural element to closer relations
between Canada and Russia.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Royal Winnipeg Ballet has received a grant of $80 000 to commission a ballet on the occasion of the Games,
under the leadership of Artistic Director André Lewis.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers have been awarded a grant of $40 000 to launch the Pan-American New
Creation Project. They will bring together contemporary dance artists from Mexico, the United States and Canada
to mark and enrich the Pan Am Games. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"At the 1999 PanAm Games, the countries of the Americas will come together in Canada to celebrate excellence
in sport. In that same spirit, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers will come together
with a pan-American community of artists to celebrate creative excellence," said Mr. Axworthy.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Minister Axworthy also announced that the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra will be granted $25 000 to organize an
exchange of young musicians with Russia. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"My recent visit to Russia was about drawing closer ties between Canada and Russia. Our young musicians, with
their shared passion for musical excellence, should be part of that," said Mr. Axworthy.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">One young musician from Canada and one from Russia will study for several months in each other's country. They
will also be given opportunities for public performances. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">These grants are provided under the International Cultural Relations Program of the Department of Foreign Affairs
and International Trade. This program supports foreign relations initiatives in the arts and higher education.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media representatives are also very welcome to contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Andrew Wilhelm-Boyles</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Executive Director</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Royal Winnipeg Ballet</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(204) 956-0183</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Ms. Judy Slivinski</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">International Liaison</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(204) 452-0229</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">E-mail: wcd@mb.sympatico.ca</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Ms. Young-Mi Snyder</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Director of Artistic Operations</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(204) 949-3970</font></p>
</body>
</html>
