CHURCH POINT, Nova Scotia, June 26, 2010 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament (West Nova), today announced funding for the Festival acadien de Clare.
Thanks to this support, the 55th edition of the Festival will be held from July 28 to August 15, 2010. Again this year, thousands of local residents and visitors to Nova Scotia's Baie Sainte-Marie area will have the opportunity to celebrate Acadian culture and heritage with flair.
"Our Government is proud to support festivals that encourage Canadians to participate in their community and to have access to the arts and their heritage," said Minister Moore. "The Festival acadien de Clare commemorates the history and traditions of Acadians from Nova Scotia and other areas and builds bridges between Canada's Francophone and Anglophone communities."
"The Festival acadien de Clare, the oldest Acadian festival in the world, is a much awaited annual event for Acadians from Canada and around the world," said Mr. Kerr. "I am privileged that this event takes place in our community, and that we have the opportunity to share in these magnificent celebrations with the Acadian people."
"The Festival acadien de Clare community and its Baie Sainte-Marie host region thank the Government of Canada for seeing the importance of investing in our cultural event," said Marc Boudreau, Festival President. "This support allows us to enrich the arts community by including professional artists and involving amateur and up-and-coming artists from the Clare region in the production of our shows."
The Festival acadien de Clare offers a broad program, including shows by Acadian, Francophone, and Cajun performers; theatre, comedy and poetry evenings; culinary events; craft fairs; and fireworks.
The Government of Canada has provided $25,000 in funding through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program gives Canadians increased access to the variety and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experience
Matthew Deacon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788
matthew.deacon@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
