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<title>CANADA TO SUPPORT NACO TOUR OF UNITED STATES AND MEXICO</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>October 7, 2003 <em>(12:00 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 151</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>CANADA TO SUPPORT NACO TOUR OF</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>UNITED STATES AND MEXICO</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today announced support for a tour of the United States and Mexico by the National
Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO), under the baton of internationally renowned violinist and conductor Pinchas Zukerman.</p>
<p>"We are pleased to be associated with this tour by the National Arts Centre Orchestra, whose sterling reputation derives
from both the quality of its artistry and its many successful awareness initiatives," said Minister Graham. "As part of our
commitment to promote Canadian culture and values internationally, this tour will highlight Canada's artistic excellence
and creativity in the United States and Mexico."</p>
<p>The NACO tour will take place from October 31 to November 16, 2003, with concerts in New York, Washington, Chicago,
Miami, Philadelphia, Greenville (South Carolina) and Ithaca (site of Cornell University in New York state). The Mexican
leg includes stops in Monterrey and Mexico City, as well as in Guanajuato for a concert that will close the Cervantino
Festival. The tour will also include several master classes and conferences at prestigious music faculties in New York,
Washington, Chicago and Mexico City.</p>
<p>A grant of $250,000 has been awarded to the NACO for this tour as part of the International Cultural Relations Program of
the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The Program seeks to promote Canadian culture and values
abroad. It supports initiatives undertaken overseas in the areas of the arts and higher learning.</p>
<p>Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2003 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal
framework.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
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<p>Isabelle Savard</p>
<p>Director of Communications</p>
<p>Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</p>
<p>(613) 995-1851</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221183540/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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