QUÉBEC CITY, May 31, 2008 - Young people from different parts of the world have gathered to demonstrate their talent and become chefs for an evening at the Tablée Cirque du Monde dinner theatre organized by Cirque du Soleil.
Luc Harvey, Member of Parliament (Louis-Hébert), on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie, took part today in the Tablée Cirque du Monde, an initiative of Cirque du Soleil to help celebrate the 400th anniversary of Québec City.
After a year of preparation and three weeks of activities in various parts of the province, young people aged 12 to 30 from Quebec, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Haiti, and Lebanon have come to Québec City to share their talents. The dinner theatre was organized by the Cirque social program of Cirque du Monde. It offers young people a unique opportunity to show how they have developed their skills in circus arts, while regaining confidence in themselves and brightening their prospects for the future.
"As Minister of Canadian Heritage with responsibility for the Québec City area and 400th anniversary celebrations, I am proud to see a local organization use its know-how in the field of arts and culture to help young people develop and discover a passion through circus arts," said Minister Verner. "Cirque du Soleil has won international fame not only for its talent, but also for its social commitment. Our Government applauds the determination of these young people who have participated, each in their own community, in advancing the circus arts."
"The Government of Canada is proud to participate in the Tablée Cirque du Monde, which allows 200 young people from Canada and other countries to enjoy a highly enriching artistic experience," said Mr. Harvey. "This event, organized as part of the festivities for the 400th anniversary of Québec City, will allow more than 500 people to appreciate the program's positive impact on young participants and to see their talent and potential."
The Government of Canada is a proud partner of the 400th anniversary of Québec City, the cradle of the French language and culture in North America. This is a historic event for Canada and North America, for it is from this date that Canada truly started to become what it is today. The Government of Canada is proud to contribute $110 million to the celebrations and to be a partner in the organization of this event, because the founding of Québec City also marks the founding of the Canadian state.
For more information on Québec City's 400th anniversary, visit the Government of Canada's website for this historic event at www.quebec400.gc.ca.
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie
819 997-7788
Marie-Claude Cadorette
Regional Communications Director
Quebec Region
Canadian Heritage
514 283-4027
