MISSION, February 23, 2007 - On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, Randy Kamp, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament (Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission), met last week with the Mission Folik Music Festival Society to announce funding of $22,000. The funds will enable the society to stage the 20th annual Mission Folk Music Festival from July 21 to 23, 2007, in the Fraser River Heritage Park.
"Canada's New Government is pleased to invest in the Mission Folk Music Festival," said Minister Oda. "This event offers a compelling variety of concerts, workshops, demonstrations and master classes catering to a diverse audience."
"Support for the arts in the Fraser Valley is support for our community's economic development," said Mr. Kamp, who met with Festival Society members on January 25, 2007. "The Mission Folk Festival is an eagerly awaited summer cultural event and a vital part of the Fraser Valley's economy. I offer my sincere congratulations to the dedicated staff and volunteers who make this festival possible."
Francis Xavier, artistic director of the Mission Folk Music Festival, noted that the Department of Canadian Heritage has played a significant role in the festival's development: "Without the Department's support, the festival simply could not operate. Mission and the Fraser Valley would be deprived of the opportunity to experience a wealth of music and some very rich cultures and traditions from across Canada and around the world. It is difficult to produce an event like this outside the urban centres. This funding helps make it possible to do so."
Since 1998, the Mission Folk Music Festival has presented artistically diverse folk and traditional music. It aims to create opportunities for cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary experimentation and exchange, and to present programming that is participatory, demonstrative, entertaining and enlightening.
Canada's New Government has provided this funding under the Arts Presentation Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to give Canadians more access to direct experiences of the diversity and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentation of live professional performances and other arts experiences.
Information:
Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Mark Strahl
Executive Assistant
Office of the Member of Parliament for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission
604 466-2761
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
