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.

- 30 -

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