MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, April 18, 2008 - For more than 20 years, the Carassauga Festival has been celebrating cultural diversity in Mississauga. Now, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada, the Festival will be able to augment its programming activities.
Wajid Khan, Member of Parliament (Mississauga-Streetsville), on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today announced funding for the Carassauga Festival, which is designed to promote intercultural understanding and respect among all
Canadians.
The Carassauga Festival will receive funding of $55,900 for the 2008 Carassauga Festival of Cultures, which will take place from May 25 to 27. The Festival will feature pavilions that will display food, art, traditional fashion, and music and dance of highlighted countries.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to announce funding for the Carassauga Festival," said Minister Verner. "We are proud to partner with communities to support activities that celebrate our rich cultural diversity."
"Local festivals such as this one bring people of all ages and backgrounds together and help contribute to community life," said Mr. Khan. "The Government of Canada is proud to support such an important event for the Mississauga community."
"Carassauga Festival of Cultures gives Mississauga citizen groups from different origins a venue to promote public awareness, appreciation and enjoyment of their cultures and cultural expressions and assists in fostering respect and co-operation among all Canadians of different heritage. This can only be done with the support from the community at large. We are extremely grateful for the outstanding support from the Government of Canada for assisting Carassauga Festival of Cultures in bringing over 40 different cultures/cultural groups in our community together," said Jennifer Bolton, Vice Chairperson Marketing and Fundraising, Carassauga Festival.
The new Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage (BCAH) program, announced in September 2007, provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in local activities that present arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage. This program will benefit many community events and celebrations in Canada throughout the coming year.
The Government of Canada is committed to building stronger communities and to providing all Canadians with opportunities to get involved in their communities and in celebrating Canadian arts and heritage.
Information:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and Official Languages
819 997-7788
Maya Kane
Manager, Regional Communications
Ontario Region
Canadian Heritage
416 954-6615
