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<title>AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR'NORTHERN ENCOUNTERS' ARCTIC CULTURAL FESTIVAL</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">September 19, 1996 No. 168</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">'NORTHERN ENCOUNTERS' ARCTIC CULTURAL FESTIVAL</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">On the occasion of the inauguration of the Arctic Council, Foreign Affairs
Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced his support for the new circumpolar arts
festival, "Northern Encounters," to take place in Toronto in June 1997. The
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade will contribute funding over
the next two years to ensure the international character of the festival.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Northern Encounters will showcase the contemporary and traditional music, arts
and culture of Canada and the seven other members of the Arctic Council," said Mr.
Axworthy. "Many of the festival performances seen by Canadians will also be
broadcast by European Broadcasting Union members."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The festival's primary focus is on music and musical theatre, with associated
events and exhibitions in dance, the visual arts, and science and technology. The
month-long event will involve approximately 1 750 performing and visual artists in
40 venues throughout Metropolitan Toronto.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Participation is expected from Canada, Greenland (Denmark), Finland, Iceland,
Norway, Siberia (the Russian Federation), Sweden and Alaska (the United States).
The Nordic Council of Ministers, representing the five Scandinavian nations, has
already committed almost C$1.2 million to support the festival.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Funding of $50 000 for this initiative was provided for in the March 1996 federal
budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><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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