CARAQUET, New Brunswick, July 16, 2008 - Acadia will be celebrated by residents and visitors to the Caraquet area, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament (New Brunswick Southwest), on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie, today announced funding for the Festival acadien de Caraquet.
Funding of $105,000 will help in the presentation of the 46th Festival acadien de Caraquet, which will take place from August 1 to 15, 2008. The festival's program will feature a wide range of musical styles, including jazz, blues, folk, world, classical, and modern French music. It will present a variety of artistic disciplines, such as literature, theatre, dance, visual arts, performances for young people, and public demonstrations. The Festival acadien de poésie will also take place during the event.
"The Government of Canada is proud to support the presentation of this important event celebrating the richness of Acadian culture," said Minister Verner. "The Festival acadien de Caraquet is a great example of success in the community as well as on the national and international levels."
"The Festival acadien de Caraquet has become an important showcase for the Acadian culture in New Brunswick," added Minister Thompson. "Our Government is proud to be involved in this event, which contributes to the vitality of the local community and attracts numerous visitors to our province each year."
"The support we receive from Canadian Heritage enables us to present quality artistic productions to a variety of audiences," said Daniel Thériault, director of the Festival acadien de Caraquet. "It makes it possible for us to fulfill our mission to promote Acadian culture in our area."
The Festival acadien de Caraquet first started in 1963 and gained a strong reputation over the years, becoming one of the most important Francophone festival in Atlantic Canada. Each year, the festival gathers more than 100 000 visitors in major cultural, heritage and arts celebrations of the Francophone and Acadian communities.
The Government of Canada has provided this support through the Arts Presentation Canada Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program gives Canadians increased access to the diversity and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.
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
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
1 866 569-6155
