WINNIPEG TO HOST THREE INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL PROJECTS
February 22, 1999 (4:25 p.m. EST) No. 36
WINNIPEG TO HOST THREE
INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL PROJECTS
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.
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.
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.
"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.
Minister Axworthy also announced that the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra will be granted $25 000 to organize an
exchange of young musicians with Russia.
"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.
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.
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.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Media representatives are also very welcome to contact:
Andrew Wilhelm-Boyles
Executive Director
Royal Winnipeg Ballet
(204) 956-0183
Ms. Judy Slivinski
International Liaison
Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers
(204) 452-0229
E-mail: wcd@mb.sympatico.ca
Ms. Young-Mi Snyder
Director of Artistic Operations
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
(204) 949-3970