POINTE-DE-L'ÉGLISE, 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 Maison la bouche rouverte.
This funding will help the organization present the 6th Festival de la parole de la Baie Sainte-Marie in southwestern Nova Scotia. The Festival, which takes place from September 29 to October 3, will include live performances, spoken word workshops, and awareness activities in schools.
"Our Government is pleased to support the Festival de la parole, which provides a unique opportunity to experience the talents of professional and emerging storytellers, poets, and writers from Nova Scotia, elsewhere in Canada, Louisiana and Europe," said Minister Moore. "We recognize that the arts play an important role in the vitality of official-language minority communities."
"Our Government is proud to support organizations that work hard to bring high-quality arts performances to the people of Nova Scotia," said Mr. Kerr. "Thanks to the dedication of the Maison la bouche rouverte, Acadians and Francophones in southwestern Nova Scotia have enjoyed local and other artists for the past six years."
"We are very grateful for the funding received from the Government of Canada, which will enable the Festival de la parole de la Baie Sainte-Marie to grow, as well as to raise awareness and build its audience," said Jocelyne Comeau, President and Artistic Director of the Festival. "We will be able to establish partnerships with other funding organizations and offer development activities in our rural region, such as performances and workshops with international professional artists."
The Government of Canada has provided $24,000 in funding through two programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage: $13,000 through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund and $11,000 through the Cultural Development Fund of the Development of Official-Language Communities Program. The Canada Arts Presentation Fund 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 experiences. The objectives of the Cultural Development Fund include supporting and strengthening the cultural and artistic activities and cultural expression of official-language minority communities, as well as promoting the arts, culture, and heritage of these communities to Canadian society.
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
